‘Stay calm’ advice to Malta over IS expansion in Libya

Concerns expressed by the Security Service over the rapid expansion of Islamic State in Libya should be taken seriously, but not force a change in the country’s current approach, according to experts. The Malta Security Service (MSS) annual report, tabled in Parliament this week, indicated the threat of IS had moved closer to Malta’s shores far quicker than expected due in part to the security vacuum in Libya. The report also suggests that the largest threat facing Europe in the near future is the return of foreign fighters from conflicts in Syria and Iraq as well as lone wolves or ‘sleeper cells’ carrying out orders from abroad. “Although there’s no benefit in alarming the public, these statements are always based on concrete evidence the public does not have access to,” said Charles Cassar, security chief at Portomaso and a former member of the Special Mobile Unit (later Special Assignment Group). Mr Cassar, however, believes the manner in which the country has responded to the situation so far has been “perfect” and should not be changed, despite the increased geographical proximity of the threat. He praised the decision to suspend the Schengen agreement until the end of the...