User:Chsali555/sandbox

= Charles Saliba - Diplomat = Carmelo Saliba better known as Charles Saliba was born in 1961 in the city of Zabbar in Malta. He is a distinguished diplomat and former banker. He is best known for his role as the Maltese Ambassador to Libya. He is of Lebanese decent. His grand grand father was born in Tripoli, Lebanon in 1856. His father, Angelo worked as a labourer at the Malta Drydocks, Cospicua while his mother Maria, nee Scicluna was a dedicated housewife. Charles has two twin brothers, Lizio and Stephen. After a banking career of 38 years with Bank of Valletta plc, Charles was appointed anonymously by the parliament committee as Ambassador of Malta for Libya.

The Early Days
Charles was born on the 5th of October 1961 in the city of Żabbar, Malta. His parents were also native of the same city. During those days, Malta was still recovering from the aftermath of the second world war. (Siege of Malta). His father started working at the Malta Drydocks since he was 16 years of age. At those time, the Malta Drydocks played a pivotal role as the backbone of the Maltese economy.

From the age of two, Charles attended the kindergarten school in the same locality and after attended the Government school up to years six. He then successfully passed to attend the Corradino Technical School. (Today is the MCAST ). Later he persued his studies at the Technical Institute at Naxxar. During the four years attending the institute, Charles manage to obtain the City and Guild Mechanical Engineering and his first Diploma in Engineering.

Art and Music
Since the age of 10, Charles was showing interest in drawing and even though he was of a very young age, he was selling his drawings to make some money and help the family. His father encouraged him to study drawing and he enrolled him in many courses provided by the General Workers Union.

The passion of music is within the family and it was not a surprise that Charles started to interest himself into Music. At the age of 15, he started learning guitar from his uncle. Being influenced by his cousin, Willie Saliba who leaded the band, The Black Sorrows, Charles now at 17, form his band Atlam. Soon after, the band started playing in many venues around Malta and two years after they released their first casette with 14 original songs named Fl-Imħabba u fis-Sliem.

The band had their time also in rock music. They also formed the band V-Gile just to perform rock music.

Professional Career

 * Banking Career: Charles Saliba dedicated 38 years of his professional life to Bank of Valletta plc, where he made significant contributions in the banking sector.
 * Appointment as Ambassador: His expertise and commitment caught the attention of the Maltese Parliament Committee, which appointed him as the Ambassador of Malta to Libya.

Diplomatic Role

 * Credentials Presentation: On February 4, 2019, Charles Saliba presented his credentials as the Ambassador of Malta to Libya to His Excellency Fayez Al Serraj, President of the Government of National Accord in Libya1.
 * Bilateral Relations: Saliba emphasized the strong bilateral relationship and friendship between Malta and Libya, built on decades of people-to-people contacts. He aimed to elevate diplomatic ties and establish a Maltese presence on Libyan soil.
 * Support for Libya: Charles reiterated Malta’s consistent support for Libya’s peaceful political transition and commitment to economic growth and development for the Libyan population.
 * Gateway Role: President Al Serraj acknowledged that Malta could serve as a gateway if the Maltese airline resumed flights between the two countries.

Embassy Presence

 * Return of the Maltese Embassy: President Al Serraj welcomed the return of the Maltese Embassy in Libya, expressing full support not only for the embassy but also for companies willing to resume operations in Libya2.