Visit of the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Senator, Speaker of the Senate, and a Parliamentary Delegation, Libya and Malta
From February 4 to 10, 2007, the Speaker of the Senate led a parliamentary delegation composed of the Honourable Senators Marcel Prud'homme, David P. Smith and Nancy Ruth. The delegation visited Libya from February 4 to 8 and Malta from February 9 to 10.
In Libya, the delegation met with:
- Colonel Muammar Abu Minyal al Qadhafi, Head of State and Leader of the Revolution;
- Mr. Sulaiman Sh'houmi, Secretary for Foreign Relations;
- Mr. Sailia, Assistant Secretary of Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation;
- Dr. Ali Abdulaziz Al-Isawi, Secretary of Economy, Trade and Investment;
- Dr. Ahmad Al-Fitouri, Secretary of the Americas' Affairs at the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation;
- Eng. Amal Nuri Safar, Secretary of Women's Affairs;
- Mr. Husni El-Wuheaishi Elsadeg, Secretary of Legal Affairs and Human Rights;
- Dr. Elhadi Elhaji, Secretary of the People's Committee and Academics at Al-Fateh University;
- Dr. Saleh Ibrahim,President, Academy of Graduate Studies and Academics;
- Mr. Fathi Biram, Second Secretary of Agriculture, General People's Congress;
- Dr. Mohamed Sherif, Secretary of the Islamic Call Society and Academics.
In Malta, the delegation met with:
- His Excellency Dr. Edward Fenech-Adami, President of Malta;
- The Honourable Anton Tabone, M.P. Speaker of the House of Representatives;
- The Honourable Michael Frendo Minister of Foreign Affairs;
- The Honourable Carmelo Abela, M.P., Deputy Speaker;
- The Honourable Michael Frendo, Minister of Foreign Affairs;
- The Honourable Dolores Cristina, Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity; and
- The Honourable Clyde Puli, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Social Affairs.
The objectives of the visit were to enhance relations between Canada and Libya and Canada and Malta, and to strengthen interparliamentary communication between our countries. The delegation discussed subjects of mutual interest, particularly in the fields of human rights and international exchanges between post-secondary institutions, and learned more about the issues and challenges of Libya, Malta and the surrounding regions. Canada wishes to emphasize the changes undertaken in Libya and to encourage the country on its reform path. Canada is seeking to strengthen its political and trade relations with Libya and Malta.