Swiss embassy re-opens in Tripoli
Switzerland has re-opened its embassy in Tripoli, the Swiss foreign ministry has confirmed. The embassy had been closed since February for security reasons.
The Swiss government appointed Michel Gottret ambassador to the new Libyan government last month, saying he would take up his duties in Tripoli “as soon as possible”.
Security for the embassy staff, which includes two diplomats and a humanitarian team, is being provided by the British company Aegis under a three-month contract.
Gottret, who was born in 1949, entered the foreign ministry in 1979. Since 2007 he has been head of mission in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. In 2002 he was ambassador to Algeria and Mauritania.
Libya’s new ambassador to Switzerland, Sliman Bouchuiguir, presented his credentials in Bern in September.
The country’s embassy in Bern switched its allegiance from former leader Moammar Gaddafi to the new regime in March.
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