Africa News
Swiss foreign minister expected for talks in Libya
Jun 12, 2010, 18:52 GMT
Berne - Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey was expected in Libya Saturday evening for talks on the return of a Swiss businessman detained there amid a diplomatic row, the foreign ministry in Berne said.
Calmy-Rey was to be accompanied by her Spanish counterpart, Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country holds the rotating European presidency.
Businessman Max Goldi was released by Libyan authorities on Thursday, a few days before his four-month prison term for illegal business activities and visa violations was to end.
He was arrested along with another Swiss businessman, Rachid al- Hamdani, in July 2008 and subsequently tried, with both men receiving prison sentences of 16 months. Al-Hamdani was later cleared of the charges and allowed to return home, while Goldi's sentence was reduced.
They were detained just days after police in Geneva questioned Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi's son Hannibal and his wife following a complaint that they ahd abused domestic staff at a local hotel.
Although the case was later dropped, relations betwen Switzerland and Libya deteriorated.
According to the Swiss foreign ministry, Goldi's passport had been issued, but he lacked an exit visa. He was staying at a hotel in the Libyan capital Tripoli.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Africa
- 1. Several dead in car bombing in northern Nigeria
- 2. Mogadishu blast kills seven, including sports chiefs
- 3. Seven dead in Mogadishu suicide bomb attack
- 4. ANC suspends Youth League leader with immediate effect
- 5. Police arrest Uganda's opposition leader and others at protest march
Older Talkback
