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Swiss man leaves embassy in Libya Swiss man leaves embassy in Libya
(about 1 hour later)
One of two Swiss businessmen sheltering at Switzerland's embassy in Tripoli amid a long-running dispute has left the building, witnesses say. One of two Swiss businessmen sheltering at Switzerland's embassy in Tripoli amid a long-running diplomatic row is leaving the country, his lawyer says.
Libya has said the businessman, Rachid Hamdani, is free to leave the country. The man, Rachid Hamdani, was cleared last month of overstaying his visa.
But it is demanding the handover of a second businessman, Max Goeldi, who is accused of illegal business practices. But Libya has sentenced the second man, Max Goeldi, and surrounded the embassy as a deadline for his handover neared.
Libyan authorities reportedly set a Monday deadline for Mr Goeldi's handover and surrounded the embassy as the deadline approached. Charges against the two are widely thought to have been brought in retaliation for the arrest of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son in Geneva.
Swiss television quoted Mr Hamdani's lawyer as saying that after leaving the embassy in the Libyan capital he was heading by car for Tunisia. Last week Libya stopped issuing visas to citizens from many European nations, prompting condemnation from the European Commission.
Mr Hamdani was cleared last month of charges of overstaying his visa, while Mr Goeldi has been accused of operating without a business license and violating immigration rules. On Monday, after Libya set a ultimatum for Mr Goeldi's handover, his lawyer told Swiss TV his client was preparing to hand himself in.
The two were allowed to stay at the Swiss embassy during their trial. He "will leave the embassy and surrender of his own accord", he said, and would be taken to the Ain Zara prison near Tripoli.
Analysts suggest the charges against the two were brought in retaliation for the arrest of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son Hannibal and his wife, Aline Skaf, in Geneva in July 2008. "We will at a later stage request a pardon," he added.
Geneva hotel case
Mr Goeldi faces a four month prison sentence after being convicted of violating immigration rules. His initial 16-month sentence was reduced to four months on appeal.
A lawyer for Mr Hamdani, who holds dual Swiss and Tunisian nationality, said after leaving the embassy in the Libyan capital he was heading by car to Tunisia.
Analysts suggest the charges against the two were brought in retaliation for the arrest of Mr Gaddafi's son Hannibal and his wife, Aline Skaf, in Geneva in July 2008.
They were accused of assaulting two servants while staying at a luxury hotel in the Swiss city, though the charges were later dropped.They were accused of assaulting two servants while staying at a luxury hotel in the Swiss city, though the charges were later dropped.
Libya retaliated by cancelling oil supplies, withdrawing billions of dollars from Swiss banks, refusing visas to Swiss citizens and recalling some of its diplomats.Libya retaliated by cancelling oil supplies, withdrawing billions of dollars from Swiss banks, refusing visas to Swiss citizens and recalling some of its diplomats.
In the same month that the Gaddafis were arrested, Libyan authorities detained Mr Hamdani, who works for a construction company, and Mr Goeldi, the manager of an engineering firm.In the same month that the Gaddafis were arrested, Libyan authorities detained Mr Hamdani, who works for a construction company, and Mr Goeldi, the manager of an engineering firm.
The two were later released on bail and went to stay at the Swiss embassy in Tripoli, before being convicted in absentia in December. The two were later released on bail before being convicted in absentia while sheltering in the Swiss embassy in Tripoli in December.
Libya's move to stop issuing visas came after Switzerland allegedly blacklisted 188 high-ranking Libyans, denying them entry permits.
It covers Switzerland but also 24 other nations in the Schengen zone, which includes European countries that have abolished mutual border controls.