Libya yesterday slightly relaxed its decision to block Schengen area travellers from entering the country after it allowed in a few Maltese and Italian workers.

However, there did not seem to be a pattern in the way Libya was deciding on who could enter the country or not, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

Libyan Foreign Minister Mousa Kousa praised Malta, Italy, Spain and Portugal for the stand they took in the ongoing dispute between his country and Switzerland, which has drawn in all Schengen area countries.

Speaking in Sirte, Mr Kousa repeated Libya's call for Switzerland to withdraw its Schengen area blacklist of some 180 senior Libyan officials and said Schengen rules should not be used in this way.

He did not announce any change in Libya's position on the entry ban on all travellers from Schengen area countries.

A number of Italian unskilled workers were allowed into Libya on Monday night and yesterday Libya also allowed entry to a few Maltese, although most were sent back.

Maltese Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini last month criticised the Swiss action and held talks with Mr Kousa in Rome.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman said Dr Borg and Mr Frattini remained in regular contact over the issue.

Progress towards a resolution to the problem appeared to have been made on Monday after Hannibal Gaddafi, the Libyan leader's son, met a Swiss businessman who has been detained in Tripoli since Mr Gaddafi himself was briefly arrested in Geneva.

Maltese workers in Libya have been extending their stay there for as long as their visa allows because they are afraid their replacements will not be allowed into the country.