Swiss detained in Libya will be able to leave the country in the next few days.

The agreement signed today by President Hans-Rudolf Merz and Prime Minister Al Baghdadi A. El-Mahmudi restores bilateral relations between Switzerland and Libya, which had been strained since the dispute in Geneva in July 2008 concerning one of Colonel Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi's sons. All consular activities and trade and economic relations between the two countries, including air rights, will be resumed. The resumption of consular activities includes all entry and exit visas for Swiss and Libyan citizens. This also applies to the two Swiss currently detained in Libya. Their departure is expected in the next few days. In addition both parties have each agreed to nominate a representative from the respective Foreign Offices, to be entrusted with the task of restoring bilateral relations. 

In order to secure the release of the two Swiss and to normalise relations with Libya, both countries have in essence agreed the following points:

• Both countries will jointly appoint an independent arbitration panel to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Hannibal Muammar Gaddafi and his wife
• Switzerland is willing to apologise for the inappropriate and unnecessary arrest of Hannibal Muammar Gaddafi and his wife by the Geneva police and to apologise on behalf of other Swiss authorities

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