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Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - The “Falcon”, a Swiss military plane used by the Federal Council, flew back from Tripoli, Libya, to Switzerland during the night of 27-28 August, carrying the delegation from the president’s office who flew there to seek the return of two businessmen held hostage for over a year. The two men did not return with them. Bern issued a brief statement saying that the plane is needed for other purposes but that “the preparations for their return are continuing.”

The men have been held since July 2008 as part of the fallout from an incident involving the arrest of Hannibal Qadaffi, son of the Libyan leader, and his wife at the President Wilson Hotel in Geneva for abusing their staff.

Charges against them were later dropped after the men received compensation, but the incident sparked a diplomatic tussle. Libya cut oil supplies to Switzerland and withdrew large amounts it had invested with Swiss banks.

Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz flew to Libya 20 August and received assurances that the two men – one works for ABB and the other for a small company – would be allowed to leave. AFP reports that Merz was told they could leave by 1 September, when Qadaffi celebrates 40 years in office. Lavish celebrations are planned. Geneva watchmaker Chopard is reportedly making watches for Qadaffi for the event, the Tribune de Geneve said earlier this week.

Geneva politician Jean Ziegler, who has long had contacts with the Libyan government and who has been consulted by Bern during the period of tense relations, has been highly critical of Merz in recent days. The Tribune reports today that politicians are increasingly irritated with his frequent verbal blasts during the past week.