The United Nations Security Council has given the Swiss authorities the green light to return SFr350 million ($399 million) of blocked funds to Libya.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch and agencies
A spokeswoman from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) confirmed on Thursday that Switzerland received the go-ahead at the beginning of the week.
She said the money would not go to Libya’s National Transitional Council but to international or Libyan humanitarian organisations.
Seco said the SFr350 million did not originate from the Gaddafi clan but exclusively from Libyan state enterprises.
In all, Switzerland froze Libyan assets worth SFr650 million earlier this year after the UN imposed financial sanctions on the North African country.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
Swiss politician resigns after firing shots at Jesus picture
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
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
Arab refugees return home following revolutions
This content was published on
Whether that return is temporary or permanent undoubtedly depends on developments in these countries and the outcome of the transitional period they are going through. For a long time, Switzerland has been known as a country of immigration and a haven for those seeking security and stability. Thousands of Arab nationals have emigrated to Switzerland,…
This content was published on
Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said on Thursday that Switzerland wanted to hand over as soon as possible $420 million (SFr334 million) belonging to Libyan public entities “for the benefit of the Libyan people”. Speaking at an international conference on the future of Libya in Paris, she said the international community had the duty to hand…
This content was published on
With his regime on the verge of collapse, Gaddafi is believed to be using safe houses and carefully planned networks of bunkers and tunnels to evade capture. Retired engineer Erich Buser says Swiss companies helped design the bunkers. “According to my knowledge and research the bunker systems in Libya were built by Swiss and American…
This content was published on
The revolt against the regime of Moammar Gaddafi, which started in Benghazi, rapidly turned into a full-scale conflict. On August 21 the rebels entered Tripoli. The days seem numbered for the Libyan leader Gaddafi.
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.