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Swiss back ICC attempts to arrest Gaddafi

Switzerland is supporting efforts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to arrest the Libyan leader, Moammar Gaddafi, for crimes against humanity.

Those responsible for the attacks against the Libyan population must be taken to court according to a statement by the foreign ministry released on Monday.

Switzerland was cooperating with the ICC to punish those found guilty of committing major crimes, it added.

The statement came shortly after the ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, said Gaddafi, his son Saif-al Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi bore the greatest responsibility for attacks on civilians.

The ICC judges must still decide whether or not to issue the warrants.

The Libyan government said it will ignore the announcement.

However, moves by the Swiss Federal Prosecutor to accuse the Libyan government over the kidnapping of two Swiss businessmen in 2009 are not linked to the attempts by the ICC according to the foreign ministry.

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR