Libyan-Swiss relations were at the centre of talks between the Spanish foreign minister and the Libyan leader in Tripoli on Monday, a western diplomat says.
This content was published on
2 minutes
The official Libyan news agency, Jana, reported only that Miguel Angel Moratinos gave Moammar Gaddafi a message from the Spanish king, Juan Carlos II about the “fruitful cooperation” between Spain and Libya.
However, a western diplomat in Tripoli said Moratinos’ visit had taken place in the context of negotiations between the European Union and Libya aimed at ending the diplomatic crisis between Tripoli and Bern, the French news agency, AFP, reported.
Spain is currently in charge of the EU’s rotating presidency.
The same diplomat, who asked not to be named, said Portugal’s foreign minister, Luis Amado, had visited Tripoli on Sunday for the same purpose.
Relations between Libya and Switzerland have been strained since July 2008, when Gaddafi’s son, Hannibal, was briefly detained in Geneva on charges of mistreating two servants. The servants were compensated and the charges withdrawn, but Libya subsequently took a series of economic measures against Switzerland, and is currently holding a Swiss businessman in jail for visa violations.
The EU was drawn in when Switzerland prevented the issue of Schengen visas to specific high-ranking Libyans. This stops them travelling visa-free in Europe between the 25 Schengen countries. Libya responded last month by refusing entry to nationals of all Schengen states.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss press turn guns on Libyan regime
This content was published on
Rachid Hamdani left the Swiss embassy on Monday and crossed into Tunisia after spending nearly 600 days in the North African country. Fellow businessman Max Göldi left the compound the same day in handcuffs to begin serving a four-month prison term in a saga that last week enveloped the rest of Europe. “After lengthy and…
This content was published on
But Reinhard Schulze, the director of Islamic Studies at Bern University, says that the Muslim world is used to Gaddafi’s rhetoric and will not heed his call for “jihad”. The “enfant terrible” of the Muslim world, as Schulze describes him, does not have the authority to call for jihad, a measure usually undertaken by Islamic…
This content was published on
Spain, which currently holds the presidency of the European Union, has managed to reach a “settlement” with Libya, but Switzerland must also be prepared to play its part, said one top diplomat who wished not to be named. Some are even predicting that Göldi could be pardoned by Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi before the middle…
This content was published on
On September 1, 1969, a small group of military officers led by then 27-year-old army officer Moammar Gaddafi overthrew Libya’s King Idris’ government. The revolutionary officers abolished the monarchy, and proclaimed the new republic. Gaddafi is to this day, referred to as the “Brother Leader and Guide of the Revolution” in government statements and the…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.