The Local Switzerland

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.

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.

Swiss claw back Qaddafi payment

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:36:00 +0200

Switzerland said on Wednesday it had recovered a $1.8 million compensation payment that it transferred last year to the Libyan regime after a bitter standoff involving one of Muammar Qaddafi's sons.

Swiss take Libya to court over hostages

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:42:00 +0200

Switzerland on Monday approved legal action to prosecute the Libyan regime for holding Swiss citizens Rachid Hamdani and Max Goeldi hostage, the justice ministry said.

Qaddafi arrest warrants gain Swiss support

Tue, 17 May 2011 17:57:31 +0200

Switzerland is backing an initiative by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to arrest the Libyan leader on charges of crimes against humanity, according to media reports.

Dictators see Swiss millions frozen

Tue, 03 May 2011 13:19:00 +0200

Switzerland said on Monday it had frozen 830 million francs ($960 million) in funds belonging to north African strongmen since the start of this year's popular uprisings.

Libya bomb suspects lose detention appeal

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:11:00 +0200

The pre-trial detention of two Swiss engineers suspected of helping Libya build a nuclear bomb did not violate their human rights laws, a court ruled on Tuesday.

Swiss politico dropped from music fest over Qaddafi links

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:32:00 +0200

The famed Salzburg music festival has withdrawn an invitation to former Swiss politician Jean Ziegler to speak at the event's opening, citing alleged links to Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi.

President: Allied aircraft can use Swiss airspace

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:25:00 +0200

Micheline Calmy-Rey, Switzerland's president, has said the neutral country will allow allied aircraft into its airspace when attacking Libya. "Neutrality is not indifference," she argues.

Libyan rebel meets Calmy-Rey for talks

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:28:00 +0100

Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey on Wednesday met a member of Libya's rebel leadership in the capital Bern to find more about the insurgents' aims.

Swiss call for justice over Libya kidnapping

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:01:00 +0100

Switzerland wants to prosecute those responsible for the "kidnapping" of two Swiss businessmen in Libya, President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey said on Sunday.

Swiss admit million dollar Qaddafi payout

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:32:00 +0100

Switzerland released a compensation payment worth over a million dollars to one of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi's sons last summer, Swiss authorities revealed on Thursday.

Swiss condemn Qaddafi violence

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:49:00 +0100

Switzerland on Monday condemned "targeted violence" by Libyan authorities against anti-regime protests and suspended a key step in resolving a bitter standoff with the ruling Kadhafi family.