afrol News, 2 September - Assault charges against son of Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, have been dropped. Hannibal Gaddafi and his wife were arrested and freed on bail in July following an assault claim by two maids at a five star hotel in Geneva.

A lawyer for the pair said they were properly compensated but no details were given. Libya had initially denied the allegations and demanded an apology from the Swiss, sparking a diplomatic spat.

In July Swiss government has protested against Libya's retaliatory measures to the arrest and detention of president Gaddafi's son, which led to closure of Swiss companies ABB and Nestle including arrests of Swiss staff and throwing diplomats out of the country.

Swiss Foreign Ministry blamed Libyan leader for launching a single-minded campaign against Swiss interests in general in retaliation to the arrest of Hannibal al-Gaddafi and his heavily pregnant wife.

"Since 17 July, the Libyan authorities have taken a number of worrying retaliatory measures," Swiss Foreign Ministry said in a statement, ordering Swiss citizens from traveling to the North African country until further notice.

A lawyer for the maids, Francois Membrez, said: "They have been recognised as victims and their sufferings have been taken into account. They have also received a temporary humanitarian residence permit in Switzerland.

In 2005, Hannibal was detained in Paris for allegedly assaulting his companion in a hotel. On several occasion, the police was stopping him for over speeding at Avenue des Champs-Élysées, known in France as the most beautiful avenue in the world.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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