'Kidnapped' Swiss nationals freed in Libya

The two Swiss citizens, who were 'held hostage' in Libya over a 14-month-long diplomatic row, have been returned to the Swiss Embassy in Tripoli.

"On Monday, 9 November 2009, the two kidnapped Swiss citizens were returned to the Swiss Embassy in Tripoli by the Libyan authorities without any explanations," the Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement.

The two businessmen were prevented from leaving Libya last year, when Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi's son, Hannibal, and his wife were arrested for beating two servants at a Geneva hotel.

The two Swiss nationals went missing since last month after leaving the Swiss Embassy to undergo a medical check-up upon the request of Libyan authorities.

"According to the embassy, the two are in good condition considering the circumstances," the Swiss foreign ministry statement added.

Switzerland had accused Libya of kidnapping the two men — a charge denied by officials in Tripoli, who said they were in a safe location.

Relationships between the two countries were strained over the 14-month-long row, which prompted Gadhafi to file a motion with the United Nations, asking for the abolishment of Switzerland as a state and dividing it between neighboring countries. The UN threw out the motion.