Political&nbsp;newcomer&nbsp;Robert Abela was set to&nbsp;become&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malta-protesters-block-entry-to-prime-ministers-office-267243">Malta's</a>&nbsp;new&nbsp;prime&nbsp;minister&nbsp;having been elected leader of the ruling Labour Party following a vote on Saturday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maltese-prime-minister-announces-plans-to-step-down-265627">Joseph Muscat</a> is stepping down as leader and&nbsp;prime&nbsp;minister&nbsp;amid claims that he protected associates who had links to people allegedly involved in the 2017 murder of anti-corruption journalist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maltas-ruling-party-lawmakers-back-embattled-prime-minister-265622">Daphne Caruana Galizia</a>.

The election result became known early on Sunday with Abela winning 58 per cent&nbsp;of the votes of some 17,500 members of the party. He was up against Chris Fearne, 56, the deputy&nbsp;prime&nbsp;minister&nbsp;and&nbsp;minister&nbsp;of health, who had been the initial favourite to win.

Muscat announced his resignation on December 1, saying he would step down once a new Labour leader was elected.

Watch:&nbsp;Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announces step down

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Abela, 42, a lawyer specialising in industrial and labour law, was elected to parliament for the first time just over two years ago. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pressure-rises-on-malta-pm-to-resign-over-slain-reporter-case-265371">Muscat</a> appointed him a consultant, enabling him to attend Cabinet meetings.

"I am humbled" he told supporters. "I thank my friend Chris (Fearne) and look forward to working together for the good of the party and the country. There is only one winner today, the Labour Party."

Abela has said he will place increased government focus on social issues and affordable housing. He also promised to give free medicines to all pensioners within five years. During the campaign, however, he avoided interviews with the independent press.

His father, George Abela, was deputy leader of the Labour Party until 1998 and had contested the party leadership election which saw Muscat&nbsp;become&nbsp;party leader in 2008. He later served as president of Malta.

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Congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/robertabela_mt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@robertabela_mt</a> on being elected <a href="https://twitter.com/PL_Malta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PL_Malta</a> leader. Proud to be handing over to him <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Malta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Malta</a> PM office on Monday. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisfearne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chrisfearne</a> for your excellent contribution to the party and country -JM
— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) <a href="https://twitter.com/JosephMuscat_JM/status/1216157417580437504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malta-pm-says-no-immunity-for-top-suspect-in-journalist-killing-265179">Joseph Musca</a>t in a tweet said he was proud to hand over to Abela. He said he would formally resign as&nbsp;prime&nbsp;minister&nbsp;on Monday.

He has said he will stay on in parliament and promote civil rights reform. He also intends working on a project to raise the level of Malta sports athletes.

Political newcomer Robert Abela was set to become Malta's new prime minister having been elected leader of the ruling Labour Party following a vote on Saturday. Joseph Muscat is stepping down as leader and prime minister amid claims that he protected associates who had links to people allegedly involved in the 2017 murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Political newcomer Robert Abela was set to become Malta's new prime minister having been elected leader of the ruling Labour Party following a vote on Saturday. Joseph Muscat is stepping down as leader and prime minister amid claims that he protected associates who had links to people allegedly involved in the 2017 murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The election result became known early on Sunday with Abela winning 58 per cent of the votes of some 17,500 members of the party. He was up against Chris Fearne, 56, the deputy prime minister and minister of health, who had been the initial favourite to win. Muscat announced his resignation on December 1, saying he would step down once a new Labour leader was elected. Watch: Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announces step down × Abela, 42, a lawyer specialising in industrial and labour law, was elected to parliament for the first time just over two years ago. Muscat appointed him a consultant, enabling him to attend Cabinet meetings. "I am humbled" he told supporters. "I thank my friend Chris (Fearne) and look forward to working together for the good of the party and the country. There is only one winner today, the Labour Party." Abela has said he will place increased government focus on social issues and affordable housing. He also promised to give free medicines to all pensioners within five years. During the campaign, however, he avoided interviews with the independent press. His father, George Abela, was deputy leader of the Labour Party until 1998 and had contested the party leadership election which saw Muscat become party leader in 2008. He later served as president of Malta. Congratulations @robertabela_mt on being elected @PL_Malta leader. Proud to be handing over to him #Malta PM office on Monday. Thank you @chrisfearne for your excellent contribution to the party and country -JM — Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) January 12, 2020 × Joseph Muscat in a tweet said he was proud to hand over to Abela. He said he would formally resign as prime minister on Monday. He has said he will stay on in parliament and promote civil rights reform. He also intends working on a project to raise the level of Malta sports athletes.

Malta: Robert Abela set to become new PM as Joseph Muscat steps down

A Dubai bank shuttered accounts earlier this year of a secret offshore company belonging to a Maltese businessman since charged with the murder of an investigative journalist, two banking officials have said.

The businessman, Yorgen Fenech, was charged last month with complicity in the 2017 killing of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malta-protesters-block-entry-to-prime-ministers-office-267243">Daphne Caruana Galizia</a>, who had written about the company, 17 Black Limited, shortly before her death. He has denied the accusation.

The banking officials said&nbsp;that prior to the murder accusation, Noor Bank had handed Fenech two cheques totalling 6.1 million dirhams ($1.7 million) when in April 2019 it closed the accounts established in the name 17 Black.

One official, the acting head of the United Arab Emirates' Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Ali Faisal Ba'Alawi, said the bank had decided to hand back the money, deeming the customer to be "high risk". This happened just months after a Reuters investigation had identified Fenech as the owner.

Senior police sources in Malta have told that they are investigating whether 17 Black's activities may have been a potential motive for Caruana Galizia's killing. Fenech denies any wrongdoing.

Noor Bank did not respond to a request for comment.

Dated April 23, 2019, the cheques have not yet been deposited.&nbsp;

Fenech declined to say whether he owned 17 Black. The two cheques in his name are the first documented evidence that connects him to the company. His lawyers did not respond to requests for comment on the two cheques.

Eight months before her death, Caruana Galizia wrote in her blog about 17 Black. She alleged it was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malta-police-arrest-businessman-fenech-in-journalist-murder-case-sources-263407">connected to Maltese politicians</a>, but no evidence has so far emerged to back up her assertion.

In a telephone interview, Ba'Alawi said the money was released to Fenech because no valid freezing order had been received from any authority, including Malta.

If requested, the cash could still be blocked, he said.

"I can confirm these cheques have not been deposited anywhere so everything remains as is," he said, speaking after being shown by Reuters copies of the cheques issued to Fenech.

Another senior UAE financial official, who declined to be named, also told that the cheques were authentic.

"HIGH RISK"

The copies of the cheques were passed by an anonymous source to the Daphne Project, a group of media organisations that has continued some of Caruana Galizia's work and is coordinated by Forbidden Stories, an NGO in Paris.

Registered as an offshore company in the UAE emirate Ajman, 17 Black opened accounts at Noor Bank in 2015. In 2017, after Caruana Galizia wrote about it, it was renamed Wings Development Ltd.

Ba'Alawi said the decision to close the accounts was made by the bank.

"The cheques you have a copy of, are manager cheques, meaning the accounts have been closed because the customer is deemed to be of a high risk and beyond the bank's risk appetite or threshold," he said.

In Malta, officials had previously been sharply critical of the UAE. One senior investigator closely briefed on the Caruana Galizia case told&nbsp;that the UAE's responses to questions about 17 Black had been incomplete and that information was supplied in the form of financial intelligence which, under the rules by which is its shared, could not be disclosed by police in court evidence.

Ba'Alawi said his Financial Intelligence Unit could and would give full permission to Malta to use the intelligence as evidence for a police investigation or court, if Malta made a request.

"In our case, if that consent is sought, we provide that consent," he said.

Ba'Alawi added that if any information was lacking "they have full right to ask for further information".

In Malta, a spokesman for Ba'Alawi's counterpart, the Financial Intelligence and Analysis Unit (FIAU) said that, under Malta’s system, it was for the police and courts to make additional requests for legal assistance from another country, either to produce evidence that could be used in court or to freeze funds.

The Maltese senior investigator in the case said that legal discussions were ongoing between the UAE and Malta to secure all necessary evidence and seize any funds, if appropriate.

A Dubai bank shuttered accounts earlier this year of a secret offshore company belonging to a Maltese businessman since charged with the murder of an investigative journalist, two banking officials have said.

A Dubai bank shuttered accounts earlier this year of a secret offshore company belonging to a Maltese businessman since charged with the murder of an investigative journalist, two banking officials have said. The businessman, Yorgen Fenech, was charged last month with complicity in the 2017 killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who had written about the company, 17 Black Limited, shortly before her death. He has denied the accusation. The banking officials said that prior to the murder accusation, Noor Bank had handed Fenech two cheques totalling 6.1 million dirhams ($1.7 million) when in April 2019 it closed the accounts established in the name 17 Black. One official, the acting head of the United Arab Emirates' Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Ali Faisal Ba'Alawi, said the bank had decided to hand back the money, deeming the customer to be "high risk". This happened just months after a Reuters investigation had identified Fenech as the owner. Senior police sources in Malta have told that they are investigating whether 17 Black's activities may have been a potential motive for Caruana Galizia's killing. Fenech denies any wrongdoing. Noor Bank did not respond to a request for comment. Dated April 23, 2019, the cheques have not yet been deposited. Fenech declined to say whether he owned 17 Black. The two cheques in his name are the first documented evidence that connects him to the company. His lawyers did not respond to requests for comment on the two cheques. Eight months before her death, Caruana Galizia wrote in her blog about 17 Black. She alleged it was connected to Maltese politicians, but no evidence has so far emerged to back up her assertion. In a telephone interview, Ba'Alawi said the money was released to Fenech because no valid freezing order had been received from any authority, including Malta. If requested, the cash could still be blocked, he said. "I can confirm these cheques have not been deposited anywhere so everything remains as is," he said, speaking after being shown by Reuters copies of the cheques issued to Fenech. Another senior UAE financial official, who declined to be named, also told that the cheques were authentic. "HIGH RISK" The copies of the cheques were passed by an anonymous source to the Daphne Project, a group of media organisations that has continued some of Caruana Galizia's work and is coordinated by Forbidden Stories, an NGO in Paris. Registered as an offshore company in the UAE emirate Ajman, 17 Black opened accounts at Noor Bank in 2015. In 2017, after Caruana Galizia wrote about it, it was renamed Wings Development Ltd. Ba'Alawi said the decision to close the accounts was made by the bank. "The cheques you have a copy of, are manager cheques, meaning the accounts have been closed because the customer is deemed to be of a high risk and beyond the bank's risk appetite or threshold," he said. In Malta, officials had previously been sharply critical of the UAE. One senior investigator closely briefed on the Caruana Galizia case told that the UAE's responses to questions about 17 Black had been incomplete and that information was supplied in the form of financial intelligence which, under the rules by which is its shared, could not be disclosed by police in court evidence. Ba'Alawi said his Financial Intelligence Unit could and would give full permission to Malta to use the intelligence as evidence for a police investigation or court, if Malta made a request. "In our case, if that consent is sought, we provide that consent," he said. Ba'Alawi added that if any information was lacking "they have full right to ask for further information". In Malta, a spokesman for Ba'Alawi's counterpart, the Financial Intelligence and Analysis Unit (FIAU) said that, under Malta’s system, it was for the police and courts to make additional requests for legal assistance from another country, either to produce evidence that could be used in court or to freeze funds. The Maltese senior investigator in the case said that legal discussions were ongoing between the UAE and Malta to secure all necessary evidence and seize any funds, if appropriate.

UAE shuts accounts of Maltese tycoon accused of journalist's murder

Malta's Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malta-pm-says-no-immunity-for-top-suspect-in-journalist-killing-265179">Joseph Muscat </a>came under increasing pressure to resign on Friday as protesters cried foul over the latest twist in the case of slain investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The escalating murder investigation has rocked the tiny Mediterranean island and reached the highest rungs of the country's politics, with two ministers and Muscat's chief of staff Keith Schembri stepping down from their posts this week.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the capital Valletta after Muscat refused to give immunity to the main suspect in the 2017 murder, tycoon Yorgen Fenech, to disclose what he knows about the case.

Fenech has identified Schembri as the mastermind behind Caruana Galizia's 2017 car bomb killing, according to sources.

Schembri was arrested on Tuesday, but his release on Thursday sparked accusations of a cover-up.

Caruana Galizia's family accused the prime minister of protecting his long-time chief of staff, demanding he hand power over to a deputy who didn't have a conflict of interest.

"We share Malta's shock and anger at the release of Keith Schembri," the family said in a statement.

"At least two witnesses and multiple pieces of physical evidence implicate Schembri in the assassination of our wife and mother."

They accused Muscat of playing "judge, jury, and executioner in an assassination investigation that so far implicates three of his closest colleagues."

The Times of Malta said Muscat told associates on Friday that he plans to resign imminently, though AFP was not able to immediately confirm the report.

Muscat, who has vowed to resign if links were found between himself and the murder, said Friday he would remain in power, telling reporters he wanted "this case to be closed under my watch".

'Disgraceful'&nbsp;

Muscat said Friday he had recused himself from the decision on whether to grant immunity to Fenech.

The prime minister later said he had reported Fenech to the police for attempted blackmail, saying the mogul had threatened to implicate him in the affair if he was not given a pardon.

Protesters in Valletta on Friday night chanted "Mafia" and "murderers".

"The killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia was a terrorist mafia act carried out by our state," said activist Manuel Delia.

He added that Schembri could have been kept in custody over corruption, money laundering and obstruction of justice.&nbsp;

Protester Marylou Gafa called Muscat's refusal to give Fenech immunity "disgraceful".

"He could have never decided in favour of a pardon that would have sent his closest collaborator to jail," she told AFP.

Fenech, a tycoon whose business interests span the energy and tourism sectors, was arrested on his yacht last week after an alleged middleman in the murder, taxi driver Melvin Theuma, was offered a pardon to identify those involved.

That arrest was followed swiftly by the resignation of Schembri and tourism minister Konrad Mizzi, while economy minister Chris Cardona said he was "suspending himself".

Caruana Galizia, a popular journalist and blogger described as a "one-woman WikiLeaks", exposed cronyism and sleaze within the country's political and business elite.

Before she was killed, she had alleged that Schembri and Mizzi had been involved in corruption. She had named Cardona in a separate case.

Leaked emails revealed in court appeared to show both Schembri and Mizzi stood to receive payments from a Dubai company called 17 Black, owned by Fenech.

The Caruana Galizia family said Schembri and Fenech have the same doctor, who reportedly served as an intermediary, passing secret notes between them.

'Fear for my life'&nbsp;

A Maltese court on Friday heard a request by Fenech for the chief investigator in the case, Keith Arnaud, to be removed, amid allegations he also had close ties to Schembri and the prime minister. A decision was expected on Monday.

"I fear for my life. I'm ready to go all the way for justice to prevail and the truth to come out," Fenech said to journalists after he was released on bail.

Fenech's lawyer told the court there was proof of ties between Schembri and Theuma, including a photo of the pair "hugging" in the prime minister's office. Schembri's release was "scary" and suggested Arnaud was not impartial, the lawyer said.

"This is happening in the EU, right now. Where is the voice of the European Commission or other EU leaders?" Robert Barrington, former head of Transparency International in the UK, said on Twitter.

The European Parliament is planning to send a mission to Malta, a parliament source told AFP.

Protester James Vella, a medical student, said this was not what he voted for.

"We were promised a clean way of doing politics and one based on meritocracy but instead we got a government that, decision after another, killed our democracy," he said.&nbsp;

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat came under increasing pressure to resign on Friday as protesters cried foul over the latest twist in the case of slain investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat came under increasing pressure to resign on Friday as protesters cried foul over the latest twist in the case of slain investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The escalating murder investigation has rocked the tiny Mediterranean island and reached the highest rungs of the country's politics, with two ministers and Muscat's chief of staff Keith Schembri stepping down from their posts this week. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the capital Valletta after Muscat refused to give immunity to the main suspect in the 2017 murder, tycoon Yorgen Fenech, to disclose what he knows about the case. Fenech has identified Schembri as the mastermind behind Caruana Galizia's 2017 car bomb killing, according to sources. Schembri was arrested on Tuesday, but his release on Thursday sparked accusations of a cover-up. Caruana Galizia's family accused the prime minister of protecting his long-time chief of staff, demanding he hand power over to a deputy who didn't have a conflict of interest. "We share Malta's shock and anger at the release of Keith Schembri," the family said in a statement. "At least two witnesses and multiple pieces of physical evidence implicate Schembri in the assassination of our wife and mother." They accused Muscat of playing "judge, jury, and executioner in an assassination investigation that so far implicates three of his closest colleagues." The Times of Malta said Muscat told associates on Friday that he plans to resign imminently, though AFP was not able to immediately confirm the report. Muscat, who has vowed to resign if links were found between himself and the murder, said Friday he would remain in power, telling reporters he wanted "this case to be closed under my watch". 'Disgraceful' Muscat said Friday he had recused himself from the decision on whether to grant immunity to Fenech. The prime minister later said he had reported Fenech to the police for attempted blackmail, saying the mogul had threatened to implicate him in the affair if he was not given a pardon. Protesters in Valletta on Friday night chanted "Mafia" and "murderers". "The killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia was a terrorist mafia act carried out by our state," said activist Manuel Delia. He added that Schembri could have been kept in custody over corruption, money laundering and obstruction of justice. Protester Marylou Gafa called Muscat's refusal to give Fenech immunity "disgraceful". "He could have never decided in favour of a pardon that would have sent his closest collaborator to jail," she told AFP. Fenech, a tycoon whose business interests span the energy and tourism sectors, was arrested on his yacht last week after an alleged middleman in the murder, taxi driver Melvin Theuma, was offered a pardon to identify those involved. That arrest was followed swiftly by the resignation of Schembri and tourism minister Konrad Mizzi, while economy minister Chris Cardona said he was "suspending himself". Caruana Galizia, a popular journalist and blogger described as a "one-woman WikiLeaks", exposed cronyism and sleaze within the country's political and business elite. Before she was killed, she had alleged that Schembri and Mizzi had been involved in corruption. She had named Cardona in a separate case. Leaked emails revealed in court appeared to show both Schembri and Mizzi stood to receive payments from a Dubai company called 17 Black, owned by Fenech. The Caruana Galizia family said Schembri and Fenech have the same doctor, who reportedly served as an intermediary, passing secret notes between them. 'Fear for my life' A Maltese court on Friday heard a request by Fenech for the chief investigator in the case, Keith Arnaud, to be removed, amid allegations he also had close ties to Schembri and the prime minister. A decision was expected on Monday. "I fear for my life. I'm ready to go all the way for justice to prevail and the truth to come out," Fenech said to journalists after he was released on bail. Fenech's lawyer told the court there was proof of ties between Schembri and Theuma, including a photo of the pair "hugging" in the prime minister's office. Schembri's release was "scary" and suggested Arnaud was not impartial, the lawyer said. "This is happening in the EU, right now. Where is the voice of the European Commission or other EU leaders?" Robert Barrington, former head of Transparency International in the UK, said on Twitter. The European Parliament is planning to send a mission to Malta, a parliament source told AFP. Protester James Vella, a medical student, said this was not what he voted for. "We were promised a clean way of doing politics and one based on meritocracy but instead we got a government that, decision after another, killed our democracy," he said.

Pressure rises on Malta PM Joseph Muscat to resign over slain reporter case