Swiss To Lift Travel
Ban On Libyans
Swiss
Government says it is prepared to lift a travel ban on some
Libyan citizens, while working to secure the release of Swiss
businessman, Max Goeldi from a Libyan jail.
The Impact
The offer was made within mediation efforts by the European
Union to help Switzerland and Libya resolve a row threatening
European Union energy interests after Libya barred entry to
travelers from the Schengen area.
Switzerland, which has drawn up a blacklist of Libyan citizens
barred from crossing its borders, she urged Libya to also lift
its travel restrictions.
The Ban
Swiss Government spokesman, Andre Simonazzi said the statement
encompassed all the categories on the Swiss blacklist, but did
not clarify whether Switzerland would only lift its travel ban
if Libya took similar measures.
EU Foreign Policy Chief, Catherine Ashton said after a meeting
with her Swiss counterpart Micheline Calmy-Rey, in Brussels that
she welcomed Switzerland's "commitment to find a diplomatic
solution as shown by their readiness to withdraw the black list
of Libyan officials.
Ashton said the EU expects that the Libyan authorities will
react in a positive way and lift the restrictive measures on EU
citizens.
The Row
Libya's dispute with Switzerland began in July 2008 when police
in Geneva arrested Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son Hannibal
on charges, later dropped, of mistreating two domestic
employees.
Hannibal was released shortly after his arrest, but Libya cut
oil supplies to Switzerland, withdrew billions of dollars from
Swiss bank accounts and arrested two Swiss businessmen working
in the North African country.
Swiss Government said it is prepared to continue negotiations on
Max Goeldi's release, on the basis of proposals by the two
European mediators.
Libya says the Geneva arrest and the case of the two businessmen
are not linked.
REUTERS/Williams/Goke
