The Local Switzerland

Rival Libyan groups set to resume Geneva talks

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:31:13 +0200

Rival Libyan factions were set to resume peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday after a partial deal was reached last month, but hopes for a lasting ceasefire remain dim without the support of key power brokers.

Bern pays damages for woman's death in US

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 20:07:43 +0200

Switzerland says it has paid $1.7 million in compensation after a Swiss embassy driver, who once worked for the Gaddafi family, hit and killed a woman in Washington in 2011.

First Red Cross aid reaches Yemeni capital

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:15:31 +0200

An initial flight from the International Committee of the Red Cross transporting medical personnel has reached the Yemeni capital Sanaa, the Geneva-based organization said on Tuesday, as fighting in the Arabian Peninsula country led to warnings of a humanitarian crisis.

Libya talks struggle to build on unity deal

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 14:15:00 +0100

A new round of peace talks between Libya's warring factions resumed in Geneva on Monday as the country continued to struggle with divisions.

Libyans agree at UN on unity government plan

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 16:19:00 +0100

Libya's warring factions have agreed on a roadmap to form a unity government after two days of UN-brokered talks in Geneva, touted as the last chance to avert total anarchy.

Geneva talks bring Libya factions together

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 23:35:00 +0100

The United Nations will host talks between Libya's warring factions from Wednesday in Geneva, amid warnings that they could be the last chance for peace in the battle-scarred nation.

Red Cross freezes Libya work after Swiss death

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 20:11:00 +0200

The International Committee of the Red Cross says it is temporarily freezing its operations in Libya to reevaluate the security situation after a Swiss staffer was killed by gunmen.

Swiss Red Cross worker killed in 'lawless' Libya

Wed, 04 Jun 2014 23:15:00 +0200

Gunmen killed a senior Swiss staffer of the Red Cross in Libya on Wednesday, hours after a rogue ex-general who has taken on the country's jihadists was lightly wounded in a suicide bombing.

Gunmen shoot ABB engineer in eastern Libya

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 21:27:00 +0200

A German engineer working for the Swiss-based ABB group and his driver were wounded on Thursday when unidentified gunmen fired on their car in eastern Libya, a security official said.

Swiss froze one billion francs after Arab Spring

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:57:00 +0200

Switzerland has blocked nearly one billion Swiss francs ($1.1 billion, €800 million) in assets linked to former autocratic Middle Eastern leaders since the Arab Spring, the Swiss foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

Swiss family freed in Libya nuke case

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:32:00 +0200

Switzerland's highest court on Tuesday sentenced a family of Swiss engineers accused of helping Libya in its failed efforts years ago to build up a nuclear weapons programme.

Family in Libya nuke case to avoid more jail

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:08:00 +0200

A family of Swiss engineers accused of helping Libya build up an illegal nuclear weapons programme will escape further jail time after prosecutors asked on Monday for sentences of less than their time already served.

Swiss hold Canadian linked to 'Qaddhafi plot'

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:28:00 +0200

A former executive at a Canadian engineering firm who has been linked to a plot to smuggle Muammar Qaddhafi's son into Mexico has been arrested in Switzerland, officials said.

Swiss lift sanctions on two Libyan banks

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:48:00 +0100

The Swiss government said on Thursday it had lifted sanctions against the Central Bank of Libya and the Libyan Foreign Bank.

Swiss charge three in nuclear weapons case

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:14:00 +0100

Swiss prosecutors said on Tuesday they had charged a father and his two sons for helping an unknown state build up an illegal nuclear weapons programme, after they admitted the crime.

New Swiss revelations over Libya hostage row

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:30:34 +0100

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey asked Geneva's top official to reprimand policemen involved in the arrest of Muammar Qaddhafi’s son in an attempt to smooth the release of a Swiss hostage in Libya, according to a new interview.

Swiss offer to help Libya disarm and demine

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:25:00 +0200

Switzerland can help Libya to disarm its population following its armed revolution, as well as contribute to demining efforts, Swiss president Micheline Calmy-Rey said Saturday.

Switzerland lifts Libya oil firm sanctions

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:22:00 +0200

Switzerland said Friday that it has lifted sanctions against two Libyan oil firms -- National Oil Corporation and its affiliated Zueitina Oil Corporation, as well as Afriqiyah Airways.

Swiss to unlock $420 million for Libya rebels

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:05:00 +0200

Switzerland said on Thursday it wanted to unlock $420 million (€294 million) in frozen Libyan assets to assist the country's new interim government.

Switzerland plans to hand over Libyan assets

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:37:00 +0200

Switzerland will release millions of francs worth of frozen Libyan assets as soon as the United Nations lifts sanctions that were imposed on Muammar Qaddafi’s government, a Swiss official said on Tuesday.