Protection of the Swiss Embassy in Tripoli

The Swiss Embassy in Tripoli was re-opened in mid-October 2011. It was necessary to open the embassy as rapidly as possible in order to safeguard Switzerland’s interests in Libya and to normalise relations with this country. For Switzerland, the security of the embassy staff and the premises is an absolute priority. For this reason, as an initial measure, a private company already present in Tripoli and familiar with the special situation there was awarded the contract to provide security in the short term. The contract with the private security firm expires in January 2012.

In the second stage, a detachment of the Swiss Armed Forces will be deployed to carry out this task. The Federal Council instructed the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to take the necessary measures in collaboration with the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). The Federal Council’s decision is based on a deployment plan which the DDPS has developed in compliance with the Ordinance on Troop Deployment for the Protection of Persons and Property Abroad (PPPAO).

It can be expected that the mission will last longer than the coming session of the United Federal Assembly. For this reason the Federal Council will dispatch a message to parliament on this matter. In compliance with article 6 of the PPPAO, the President of the Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, and the Head of the DDPS, Ueli Maurer, are required to inform the Presidents of the competent parliamentary committees (Foreign Affairs Committees) of both the National Council and the Council of States.

Further questions:                           

Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Federal Palace West Wing
3003 Bern
phone +41 (0)31 322 31 53
info@eda.admin.ch

Publisher:

The Federal Council
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports DDPS
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs