An informal meeting between former Maltese prime minister Joseph Muscat and Saddam Haftar has drawn scrutiny in Malta.
Local media reported that Muscat hosted the meeting at his private office, despite holding no official government or diplomatic role.
The Malta Independent described the meeting as unusual, pointing out that Muscat holds no official or diplomatic role, yet issued a statement afterwards in a notably diplomatic tone.
The newspaper also said that Saddam Haftar and his father, Khalifa Haftar, exert control over eastern Libya through authorities not recognised internationally, and referred to accusations including oil smuggling, breaches of UN sanctions, and military ties with Russia and Belarus.