Swiss business man stranded in Libya returns home

A Swiss businessman has returned home from Libya after being trapped in the country for two years.

Max Goeldi arrived in Zurich after diplomats struck a deal yesterday to end a dispute between Libya and Switzerland over the arrest of Muammar Gaddafi's son in Geneva in 2008.

Mr Goeldi was also sentenced in February to four months in prison for violating Libyan immigration rules.

His family said in a statement today that "our joy is indescribable now that the long waiting, worrying and hoping has come to an end".

Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, who was on the flight with Mr Goeldi, said: "We are relieved and happy along with Max Goeldi and his family."

Mr Goeldi was held with fellow Swiss businessman Rachid Hamdani as part of Libya's response to the two-day detention of Hannibal Gaddafi and his wife for allegedly beating their servants in a Swiss hotel. Libya suspended visas, withdrew funds from Swiss banks, stopped oil shipments and reduced flights to Switzerland.

Switzerland apologised for the "unlawful publication" of photographs of Hannibal Gadhafi and paid him $1.5 million in damages.

Daniel Graf, a spokesman for Amnesty International, said he was "very relieved" by the release.