Malta says Kadhafi and family must quit

(VALLETTA) - Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi and his family must quit as part of any solution to the country's crisis, Maltese prime minister Lawrence Gonzi told reporters on Wednesday.

"Malta continues to insist that any solution will have to see Moamer Kadhafi and his family leave the political scene," Gonzi said after a meeting with EU Council president Herman Van Rompuy.

The meeting also addressed the issue of immigration, as boat refugees and migrants from North Africa continued to arrive on Italy and Malta's shores.

"We are convinced that the European Union could show more solidarity with Malta and offer more human solutions," Gonzi added.

In turn, Rompuy said the EU wanted to assure Malta of its solidarity.

The European Union's top official had said on Tuesday during a visit to Greece that the bloc's African neighbours -- several rocked by unrest -- ought to "cooperate further" in fighting irregular migration.

"Measures within the EU are not sufficient," he said.

Greece, Italy, Spain and Malta are bearing the brunt of migration pressure from north Africa, and the political unrest that has rocked Tunisia, Egypt and Libya in recent months has raised fears of an even greater influx.