Libya Stops Issuing Visas to Europeans

(Tripoli, Libya) The nation of Libya has escalated a diplomatic conflict with Switzerland by suspending issuance of visas to most European countries.

The visa suspension emerged a day after a Libyan newspaper reported that the North African country would take “severe measures” in response to Switzerland drawing up a visa blacklist that included Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his family.

Oil exporter Libya has been attracting growing foreign investment since it emerged from decades of international isolation and the visa move could harm its business reputation, though one analyst said the suspension would be short-lived.

A notice on France’s Foreign Ministry website said Libya had suspended visas for the Schengen area — 25 European countries, including some which, like Switzerland, are not in the European Union. EU members Britain, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus are not in Schengen.

A spokesman for Italy’s Foreign Ministry said Libya had suspended visas in response to the Swiss restrictions. “Contacts are under way between the countries of the zone to coordinate over this measure,” a ministry spokesman said.

“Libya’s unilateral step is regrettable,” a German foreign ministry spokesman said.

Apparently Libya is known to make abrupt rule changes and, typically, they don't last long. The actions illustrate the reactionary and capricious nature of Libya's leadership.