Libyan students holding placards with images of leader Muammar Gaddafi protest near the Swiss Embassy in Tripoli on Monday. (EPA)
Published: Mar 1, 2010 10:32 PM Updated: Mar 1, 2010 11:11 PM
TRIPOLI/ISTANBUL: Hundreds of students on Monday took to the streets near the Swiss embassy in the Libyan capital Tripolis to support their head of state's call for a holy war against Switzerland.
Protesters chanted anti-Swiss slogans and held up pictures of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi. Police prevented the protesters from reaching the embassy.
Gaddafi last week called on Muslims to fulfil their holy duty of jihad against Switzerland, citing the country's November referendum decision to ban minarets as justification.
Gaddafi has been on a diplomatic and economic crusade against Switzerland since the summer of 2008, when his son Hannibal was arrested in Geneva.
Hannibal Gaddafi and his wife had allegedly abused domestic staff at their hotel.
Hannibal Gaddafi Monday visited Swiss citizen Max Goldi in prison.
He gave "humanitarian reasons" for his visit, according to local media.
Goldi, along with a second Swiss citizen, was charged with visa violations and illegal business activities after the Geneva dispute.
He faces four months in prison if Moamer Gaddafi does not pardon him.
The second Swiss citizen, Rachid Al-Hamdani, was acquitted and has since left Libya. ¬
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