Libya 'kidnapped' Swiss men
2009-10-22 17:27
Geneva - Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey on Thursday accused Libya of "kidnapping" two Swiss businessmen who have been prevented from leaving Tripoli for a year in a diplomatic row between the two countries.
The two went missing last month after they left the Swiss embassy to undergo a medical check-up at the request of Libyan authorities, and Tripoli said they were being held in a "safe location."
Switzerland "has not received any proof of life after the two Swiss (citizens) were kidnapped by Libyan authorities and hidden in an unknown location, in flagrant violation" of consular conventions, Calmy-Rey told journalists.
The government had "protested very strongly against the abduction," she added.
The Swiss government said after a cabinet meeting that Tripoli had repeatedly failed to honour pledges made in recent weeks to try to solve the 14 month row, despite a high-profile apology by President Hans-Rudolf Merz.
The spat erupted in July 2008 after police in Geneva arrested one of the sons of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Hannibal, and his wife in a luxury hotel over allegations that the couple had mistreated two servants.
Retaliation
Swiss police detained the Gaddafis for two days, sparking outrage from Libyan authorities and a string of retaliatory measures against Switzerland although the charges were dropped.
The Swiss businessmen in Tripoli were also prevented from leaving the country last year after they were accused of immigration offences.
Merz flew to Tripoli in August and apologised to the Libyan people over the Geneva incident.
His controversial apology was presented as a counterparty for the swift return of the two businessmen, along with an agreement with the Libyan government to normalise relations within 60 days.
Despite subsequent reassurances, Tripoli had shown "no intention to want to normalise bilateral relations with Switzerland" and had "systematically refused" to co-operate, Calmy-Rey said on Thursday.
Merz said the Swiss government was "disappointed that Libya has not so far held to these agreements and pledges."
- SAPA