Libya has announced it will cease issuing visas to citizens of European countries in the Schengen zone. Even citizens currently in possession of visas will be denied entry.
European countries such as Italy confirmed the news with postings on various governmental websites. The news echoes sentiments from Tipolo's Oea newspaper that originally reported the change. The paper is widely believed to have close ties with Gaddafi's son, Said al-Islam.
Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini says four Italians are currently being detained at Tripoli's airport, six were sent back to Italy and 37 others managed to make their way into the country.
The Libyan government has neither confirmed the reports nor given a public reason for the reversal of as previous decision.
Libya and Switzerland are engaged in a diplomatic dispute. It began in July 2008 when Gaddafi's son Hannibal and his wife Aline were questioned by Geneva police after allegations surfaced that they had abused their domestic staff.
No comments:
Post a Comment