October 30, 2009 - The Daily Star - Swiss Case of 2 Businessmen Kidnapped by Libya

Support pours in from abroad for Swiss businessmen 'kidnapped' by Libya

By Agence France Presse (AFP)

Agnes Pedrero

GENEVA: International support from Washington, Madrid and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has poured in to Switzerland over the affair of two businessmen who have been “kidnapped” by Libya. The two Swiss businessmen have been prevented from leaving Libyan territory after a diplomatic spat erupted in July 2008 over the arrest of one of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s sons in Geneva.

Last month, the two went missing after they left the Swiss Embassy to undergo a medical check-up at the request of Libyan authorities.

Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said they were “kidnapped by Libyan authorities and hidden in an unknown location, in flagrant violation” of consular conventions, while Tripoli said they are being held in a “safe location.”

“Not only the US government but also other governments would be ready to help Switzerland,” said US ambassador in Bern, Donald Beyer, in an interview published on Tuesday in Swiss newspaper Die Suedostschweiz.

Even as the Swiss government’s tone hardened against Tripoli, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos also assured Bern that Switzerland has the support of Spain, which will hold the rotating presidency of the EU in 2010.

“At the moment, we must allow Swiss diplomats to do their work while showing our solidarity and responding to all calls for help which are made,” he told Swiss Italian newspaper Il Corriere del Ticino in an interview published Friday.

The OIC also offered to the two countries to find a solution to resolve the diplomatic spat.

However, the US envoy in Bern has kept quiet on international offers of assistance.

The Swiss-Libyan spat erupted in July 2008 after police in Geneva arrested Hannibal Gadhafi and his wife in a luxury hotel over allegations that the couple had mistreated two servants.

Swiss police detained the Gadhafis 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 offenses.

Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz flew to capital Tripoli in August and apologized to the Libyan people over the incident.

His controversial apology was presented as a counterparty for the swift return of the two businessmen.