Libya cuts off oil to Switzerland over arrest of Gadhafi's son
Friday, July 25, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
CAIRO — Libya announced a halt to much of its crude oil exports to Switzerland after the son of Col. Moammar Gadhafi was arrested in Geneva.
Tripoli said it would stop Libyan government-operated tankers from delivering oil to Switzerland. Libyan oil transported by commercial vessels was not included in the ban.
On July 15, Gadhafi's son, Hanibal, and his wife were arrested in a Geneva hotel on suspicion of beating their staff. Despite their release two days later, Libya has demanded an apology and arrested employees of Swiss firms in the North African state.
Libya has been the only OPEC member to openly use oil exports as an instrument of foreign policy. In July, Libya said it would reduce oil exports in response to pressure by the U.S. Congress on Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members to increase production.