Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela visited war-torn Libya Thursday to discuss illegal migration with the head of the country's Government of National Accord, the UN-recognised administration said. Abela signed a memorandum of understanding on the issue with GNA leader Fayez al-Sarraj during his short trip, the Tripoli-based authority said in a statement without elaborating on the agreement. Malta is on the front line of migration into Europe, while Libya is a major gateway for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean. People smugglers have exploited the chaos that has gripped the North African country since longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled and killed in a 2011 uprising. Libya is now split between the GNA in Tripoli and forces loyal to eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar, who has waged a year-long battle to try to capture the capital. The GNA statement said that Abela had "renewed the support of his country" for the UN-recognised government and his opposition to the "attack on Tripoli". rb/ila/dr/sw