THE GUARDIAN: Max Goeldi leaves Tripoli refuge in latest twist in diplomatic row between two countries
Switzerland backed down today in its standoff with Libya when a businessman taking refuge in the country's embassy in Tripoli surrendered to police who had surrounded the building.
The move averted a confrontation over a long-running row that began when the son of the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was arrested in Geneva and charged with assaulting his servants.
Libya had set a deadline of today for the surrender of Max Goeldi, who had been convicted for immigration charges, in a case that was seen as retaliation for the 2008 arrest of Hannibal Gaddafi – an accusation Libya has always denied.
The Swiss foreign minister, Michael Spindelegger, said police officers threatened to storm the embassy if the ultimatum to hand over the two men were not heeded.
Goeldi emerged alone from the embassy and was met by a police general and senior justice ministry official before being taken away in handcuffs to start a four-month prison sentence. >>> Matthew Weaver and agencies | Monday, February 22, 2010
