Switzerland ready to lift Libya travel ban 

Friday, March 26, 2010

 
In a bid to ease tensions between the two countries, Switzerland says it’s ready to lift the travel ban placed on some Libyan citizens. The diplomatic row between the two countries has drawn in much of Europe. Last year Switzerland denied entry to nearly 200 prominent Libyans.

Libya, in retaliation, stopped issuing visas to citizens of all countries in Europe's Schengen border-free area.
Now The Swiss government hopes that Libya would reciprocate by ending its ban against travellers from Switzerland and 24 other countries.

The diplomatic row between Switzerland and Libya began in July 2008 when one of the sons of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was arrested briefly in Geneva.

The European Union is mediating in an attempt to end the dispute.

"The EU expects that the Libyan authorities will react in positive way and lift the restrictive measures on EU citizens."  EU foreign policy Chief, Baroness Ashton, said in a statement

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