Gaddafi urges 'jihad' against Switzerland
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has called for a "jihad" or armed struggle against Switzerland using all means, saying it was an infidel state that was destroying mosques.
"Any Muslim in any part of the world who works with Switzerland is an apostate, is against (the Prophet) Mohammad, God and the Koran," Gaddafi said today during a meeting in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi to mark the Prophet's birthday.
Libya's relations with Switzerland broke down in 2008 when a son of Col Gaddafi was arrested in a Geneva hotel and charged with abusing domestic servants.
He was released shortly afterwards and the charges were dropped, but Libya cut trade ties with Switzerland, withdrew billions of dollars from Swiss bank accounts and arrested two Swiss businessmen working in Tripoli.
One was released but the other was forced this week to leave the Swiss embassy in Tripoli where he had been sheltering and move to a prison to serve a four-month sentence, apparently avoiding a major confrontation.
Libya says the Geneva arrest and the case of the two businessmen are not linked.
"Let us fight against Switzerland, Zionism and foreign aggression," said Gaddafi, adding that "this is not terrorism", in contrast with the work of al Qaeda which he called a "kind of crime and a psychological disease."
"There is a big difference between terrorism and jihad which is a right to armed struggle," he said.
Gaddafi accused Switzerland of being an "infidel, obscene state which is destroying mosques", in reference to a Swiss referendum verdict barring construction of minarets.
He called for a "jihad against it with all means".
Switzerland in the past weeks placed 180 senior Libyan officials, including Col Gaddafi and his family, on a Schengen blacklist, effectively preventing any state in the Schengen area from issuing visas for these people.
Libya retaliated by revoking all visas issued to travellers from the Schengen area, including Malta.
The only two Maltese on an Air Malta flight to Libya today were refused entry and sent back to Malta. So too were Italians and Germans who flew to Libya on other flights.
SWISS AMBASSADOR DEFENDS DECISION
The new Swiss ambassador to Malta, Bernardino Regazzoni, this morning defended his country’s decision to blacklist the 180 Libyan nationals and said the action was motivated by a threat to national security.
Mr Regazzoni made his comments to timesofmalta.com after he presented his letters of credentials to President George Abela.
Malta had been among the countries which criticised the Swiss blacklisting decision and questioned its legality in terms of Schengen rules.
“The discussion over our position and how it fits into Schengen law is ongoing. We contend that it is lawful. When the black list of Libyan officials was issued, we justified it on the basis of national security. At the time the list was drawn up, two Swiss nationals were under arrest in Libya and for 52 days their whereabouts were unknown. This was a threat to our security,” the new ambassador said.
When asked whether this blacklist would be removed following recent developments, including the release of one of the Swiss nationals, the ambassador said he was not in a position to comment.
He, however, expressed gratitude to the EU for mediating on the issue.
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N. Camilleri
Feb 27th 2010, 17:22
Imbasta zzattattu u ghedtu IVA ghall ewropa ghall ahjar ta' wliedna. Irrangajtuna ghall festi ghax spiccajna ma' nistghux immorru ghax-xoghol u ngibu lira lejn id-dar biex nitimghu l-uliedna. Ghall min ma' jafx, l-inglizi xorta wahda dahlu l-Libya ghax mhumiex fix-schengen ghalkemm UK qieghda go l-ewropa. Dik kienet id-differenza bejn LE u IVA, li qabel tghid iva ghall kuntratt trid tara x'jista jaffettwa lill poplu u mhux l-importanti nkunu qiesna naghag kulhadd jaghmel l-istess l-aqwa li nkunu bhall l-ewropej ikun xi jkun u jigri x'jigri.
Raymond Sammut
Feb 27th 2010, 17:18
@ Norman Zammit --"An issue between 2 countries should not keep all other EU countries as hostages."
All other EU countries? Switzerland is not even an EU country --so it doesn't have to give a hoot. It has always been a tradition for Switzerland to simply sit on the fence and do as it see fit for itself or its friends. One has to ask here, whose interests is Switzerland serving by stirring a kerfuffle with Libya? They had predicted Mu‘ammar al-Qaḏāfī's reaction so it could be exploited by Libya's enemies to the advantage of Switzerland's concealed friends.
Switzerland, we know your old tricks. We know them all too well by now.
Norman Zammit
Feb 27th 2010, 15:24
This issue of visas is a problem between two countries, Libya and switzerland. I think it is an abuse of the Schengen treaty by Switzerland that has caused problems to all the EU nations including Malta. Before we rush into judging Libya for its deeds and words said we have to first see what the situation really is and who brought it upon us. I am working in Tripoli and cannot return to Malta for the time being as I would not be let back in. Many Maltese companies have business with Libya as other European countries but our ties with the Libyans are much stronger and need to be kept into perspective. This situation is only giving American companies the opportunity to move into Libya and take over the work that is in the hands of countries from the EU. With the world economic situation as it is we as Europeans and especially us Maltese cannot afford that. An issue between 2 countries should not keep all other EU countries as hostages.
Kurt Laferla
Feb 27th 2010, 14:56
islam.. religion of peace? i don't think so! this shows you what goes on in mosques around the world! jihads! fatwas! shar'ia law! come on..! also this lovable person gaddaffi stated in a rally in libya that islam will conquer the west, not through wars, but through mass immigration ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7ympF_grrA ).
this person is dangerous and must be stopped. any libyans supporting this man should be deported, and our government must stop being on his side, XMISTHJJA!
Lisa Schembri
Feb 27th 2010, 13:22
And this guy is gonna come here!?! great..just GREAT!!!! D=
E Compagno
Feb 27th 2010, 12:38
D Farrugia, so what if christian history has blood on its hands? Does it mean that more wrongs would make a right? One would think that with a 600 year head start, a civilisation would learn from past mistakes of others.
It is not the case. More so, since the brutality is etched into sharia law - and the first law is 'This is the law of God and no human can change it' ... so the world has to witness the stone age brutality for many many more years.. No muslim will disagree with the cutting off of thieves hands or the stoning of adulterers, as we have seen in past news articles - because that would be saying that God is wrong. To some muslims, death is more important than life, as it leads to heaven. Dying in Jihad, for the cause of Islam, takes you straight there.. and you bypass the whole 'tormenting in the grave' while you wait for the end of days.
So who cares if the crusaders killed thousands? Who cares about the witch hunts? By now one would think that the same stupid mistakes would not be repeated - not likely.
Denis Catania
Feb 27th 2010, 00:58
@James Formosa: I don't mean to be rude, but please keep the U.S.A out of it. I don't need my son or matter of fact any American to put their lives in jeopardy for the EU. Fight for Malta YES, Fight for the EU as a whole NO.The big boys of the EU needs to take care of this problem. Remember most EU citizens favored the release of the Pan AM bomber. SORRY.
Martin Cassar
Feb 26th 2010, 19:21
Straight to the point.
The most there important yet interlinked vocabularies in the media during the past decade that covers international political agendas (including the current visa-spat) are: Jihad, Zionists, National security.
Zionists (fraction of the victims of the Holdouts but not the Jews) creates the condition for terrorism with the unlimited support from the west mainly UK and USA. Muslims (sometimes in form of Palestinians, Iraqis or from Iran or Afghanistan) answer back: this is in Muslim’s books and according the Col. of Libya called Jihad and according to both George Bush and Tony Blair’s books this called terrorism.
The media plays a vital and in many occasions dirty role here. Would you expect Media that is sponsored by many big companies that manufactures weapons to promote peace? Would you expect a cigarette company to sponger anti-smoking campaign?
Will the rascals ever learn?
Raymond Sammut
Feb 26th 2010, 12:58
@ C.Zammit
Islam is not found only in Africa. Mosques have been built in Europe since time immemorial, and this issue is not really related to Islam. It has its origins with Hannibal and his wife. The charges were dropped. Now the Swiss are claiming there are security issues. Where is their evidence? Where is this problem really coming from? Who is stoking it, and at whose benefit?
And mosques can still be built in Switzerland. It's only the minarets that raised issues with the locals. Pretty much like belfries in Malta. Remember those belfries how they wake everyone up in the morning? Why were belfries built on Malta? Maybe they should never have been built on Malta, and kept them in Rome instead. Maybe that's were belfries really belong --in the Vatican. That's where all the sins of the world are. They are still being cleansed --since the time of the Nero's.
S. Vella
Feb 26th 2010, 10:08
@C. Farrugia - he was arrested because abusing domestic servants is a crime in Switzerland and any civilised country including ours. Obviously it seems that in Libya, this is not the case. It's also true that while a diplomatic passport confers immunity to the holder, it doesn't excuse criminal behaviour.
I am aware of our business interests, but I really do not want to see Gaddafi welcomed in Malta after this statement.
C.Zammit
Feb 26th 2010, 09:57
Mosques should have never been built in Europe anyway! This is what we get for tolerating them. See what you get in return! Enough is enough with these muslims. Good for switzerland if its going to remove them & also Italy is doing a good Job. Mosque In Milan going to close down very soon. Europe is Europe & not an extention to african states.
MBorg
Feb 26th 2010, 09:35
@C Farrugia,
Well spoken Sir. If all these scholars learn to keep their traps shut maybe they will inflict less damage. Libya doesnt need Europe, it survived economic sanctions imposed by the US. One should note all the US and British companies investing in Libya and its wealth in hydro carbons. They certainly want to keep their bi-lateral relations ...why....cause Black Gold is the key player.... not some morons posting idiotic phrases.
I also want to pass my regards to all the Maltese workers either in Libya or waiting to obtain a visa as they might see their future disrupted by the Swiss arrogance taking the law in their hands. Hang tough lads, we are with you all the way.
Why doesnt Malta have the balls to pull out of the Schegen treaty and show the rest of the clan how things are done? Maybe we need somebody like the Australian PM.....
Enough said..... We support the Maltese workers in Libya and their families during this difficult time.
Eric Gahn
Feb 26th 2010, 09:18
@t farrugia.
It is not only muslims who use religion for political gain. Check your history books.
Mario Genovese
Feb 26th 2010, 08:39
Viva l-flus sur Pace bhalissa ghax dawk ghandna bzonn!!!!! Why the fuss.....Italy ( the most faithful ally of Europe and USA continues to do a huge amount of business with Libya.......sewwa jaghmlu. Ma nkunux qaddisin aktar mill-Papa please....ghal gid taghna stess.
Richard Galea
Feb 26th 2010, 08:37
Well.......If Malta wanted to be part of Globalisation...........We did we segregate ourselves from the rest of the world by joining Schengen?
Britain was smart not to join.......and enjoying the fruit more of her wise decision........now that the European fundamentalists are at bay......
If Libya is threatened by these fundamentalists......The British LION will come to its rescue.
Missing the wood from the trees....is a grave mistake.
Richard Galea.
C Farrugia
Feb 26th 2010, 07:58
@James Formosa, Andrew Paris (and many other bright people)
the reason things escalate are because of people like you who sit back and throw all sorts of ridiculous allegations, comments and conclusions without knowing the facts.
Just imagine a Maltese diplomat was arrested on a diplomatic passport, taken into custody illegally, had his photos published illegally and then a couple of years later we were all banned from entering any Schengen country because the Swiss Government took offence to 2 of its nationals who committed a crime in Malta and were sentenced to time in jail in Malta ....
.... urging "Jihad" against a particular country, group or religion is not a wise thing to do but just goes to show that this guy does NOT need Europe but its Europe who needs Libya ... that's exactly the reason why Europeans are upset they're blocked out of Libya far more than Libyan's are upset that they've been blocked entry into Europe.
The story of the world has shown us that its when countries like Switzerland, Britain and the US take matters into their own hands without consulting or thinking about others that things go wrong!
James Brincat
Feb 26th 2010, 07:43
@ D Farrugia
You forgot to mention the millions of none Roman Catholics fellow Christians that were killed at the hands of Roman Catholics during the Christian's Jihad (Crusade).
@ James Formosa
Wake up man, the showdown has been initiated centuries ago and as for the current battle, the troops have been scrambling and getting stewed in Iraq' oil and Afghanistan for many years and are still desperate to achieve a small victory ;-). I better cave in.
Raymond Sammut
Feb 26th 2010, 00:25
If Switzerland is part of a protocol, such as the Schengen rules, then Switzerland cannot go ahead and take action without first consulting with the other parties who are also committed to that protocol. As matters stand, Switzerland should be asked to explain its position or else it should withdraw itself from the protocol. If Switzerland refuses to withdraw, then Malta should withdraw and give priority to the neighbouring country. The alternative for Malta would be serious and long-term ramifications for its important relations with the two neighbouring countries, namely, Libya and Italy.
James Formosa
Feb 25th 2010, 23:37
USA, EU here's your chance on a golden platter... He declares war, so you have an excuse to go in remove him from power and sentence him. Take control of Libya and its borders. Oh.. and if there's a drop of oil to spare we'll take it :)
George Pace
Feb 25th 2010, 23:23
Viva l- liberta!
Viva l- Ewropa!
.
D Farrugia
Feb 25th 2010, 23:16
I am not a Muslim but a Maltese and a Roman Catholic however i will surely not pass such comments as Muslims using religion as an excuse for war. We have many ghosts in our closet to comment like that. Let us not forget the time of the crusades were we used our religion as an excuse to kill hundreds of thousands of Muslims while invading the holy land. Let us not forget the Inquisition era. We too have used religion in the past as an excuse for war and to us we say it was for the right reasons hence why not the Muslims?
D.Bonello
Feb 25th 2010, 23:05
The maltese in Libya should start considering leaving before they get caught as hostages. The west should impose santions again to teach him this world has no room for such talk.
Alexander Morana
Feb 25th 2010, 22:58
let's thank the stars that we never made it in becoming a Switzerland in the Mediterranean.
Carmen Vella
Feb 25th 2010, 22:41
U l-gvern Malti se jgib lil dan il bniedem Malta?
Andrew Paris
Feb 25th 2010, 22:40
And the Maltese governemt still wants to do business with this clown.
Using religion to fight his war and getting others to do the battle. Coward!
ASpiteri
Feb 25th 2010, 22:29
our libyan cousins!!
one day our country will pay the price for having developed a bond with the libyans!
M. Azzopardi
Feb 25th 2010, 22:04
this guy is unbelievable! no wonder he was so close with mintoff and his party!!!!
M.Mallia UK
Feb 25th 2010, 21:40
I think perosnally the Lybyans ought to give it a rest and learn to live peacefully but no they are always looking for some excues, and guess what if they look for trouble no doubt they'll get what they ask for, these fanatic muslims seem to walk about where ever they are with a chip on their shoulder, so as the saying goes if one looks for trouble they will certainly find it.
Joseph Ellul- Sydney
Feb 25th 2010, 21:16
Will this mean that all illegal persons who arrive from Libya will be deported ?
Is this is a declaration of war....? Are all Libyans in Malta to be deported ?
There are Muslims and there are Extreme Muslims. I hope that Europe does not take too much offence from this Gaddafi fellow. It is time for a rest in the desert again.
Michael Vella
Feb 25th 2010, 21:12
Some things never change....Gaddafi is one of them!
Muscat D
Feb 25th 2010, 21:07
Weren't we told that jihad is the spritual struggle of each man, against vice, passion and ignorance? Doesn't seem to be the meaning he has of jihad. His statement doesn't seem very spiritual to me.
t farrugia
Feb 25th 2010, 20:36
"Any Muslim in any part of the world who works with Switzerland is an apostate, is against (the Prophet) Mohammad, God and the Koran," Gaddafi said today during a meeting in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi to mark the Prophet's birthday. - as usual the muslims using religion as an excuse for war!!!
victor pulis
Feb 25th 2010, 20:31
Is this a declaration of war? Once a gaddafi always a gaddafi.