The recommendation by the foreign affairs commission of the House of Representatives was made in response to on-going problematic relations between the two countries – under strain since the arrest of a son of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi in Geneva last year.

The commission voiced support for current cabinet measures, but adopted by 12 votes to 11 a motion to restrict visas issued to Libyans travelling to Switzerland. A proposal to break off diplomatic relations with Libya was rejected by 14 votes to seven.

It also filed a complaint over the leak of a confidential government document to the Sonntag newspaper into the affair.

The document alleges President Hans-Rudolf Merz did not fully inform the cabinet about his planned visit to Tripoli to address the spat and that former Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin had written to Libya to apologise for the arrest.

"This was unacceptable," said commission president Geri Müller, adding that it painted only part of the picture.

The moves come two weeks after a 60-day deadline for normalising relations between Switzerland and Libya ran out with no word on the fate of the two Swiss businessmen detained in Libya for more than a year. Their exit visas were revoked as part of a number of retaliatory measures against Switzerland following the arrest of Hannibal Gaddafi.

Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey has accused Libya of "kidnapping" them and "flagrant violation" of international conventions. Libya rejects the abduction charge.

Irritation

In its latest communication on relations, the Swiss cabinet expressed irritation over the "systematic refusal" of Libya to implement agreements between the two countries. But despite talking tough, there was no mention of sanctions or details of Switzerland's future strategy.

Changes may be afoot however. For more than a year Switzerland has been isolated internationally over the diplomatic fall-out. But during the past few weeks, two nations have spoken publicly about the dispute.

The United States ambassador to Bern, Donald Beyer, said the US was "concerned" over the two missing Swiss businessmen and "would welcome their return". Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos also indicated that Spain might be willing to mediate between the two countries.

Freed brother

The agreement signed in Tripoli in August by Merz and the Libyan prime minister included a stipulation that an independent tribunal would be set up to look into the circumstances surrounding the detention of Gaddafi and his wife.

The couple was arrested at a Geneva hotel in July 2008 over reports that they mistreated two servants. Charges of causing physical injury were later dropped after a settlement was reached.

One of the servant's brothers was reported missing soon after Gaddafi's arrest and his case was brought to the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations. In a related development on Monday, a Geneva lawyer announced that the brother had been freed.

His family had confirmed his release on October 24, François Membrez told the Associated Press.

"His freedom was obtained as a result of repeated requests by the United Nations. He has returned to live in Morocco," Membrez said.

He added that the families of the two Swiss detainees could also launch the same procedure through the UN commission to obtain their freedom.

The moves were supported by Amnesty International. On Monday, the human rights group said it had sent a letter to the Libyan authorities demanding the release of the two men.

Short of that, Amnesty said Libya should make known where they are being held, and contact with their families and lawyers should be restored.

swissinfo.ch and agencies