GENEVA: Switzerland on Wednesday charged Libya with taking retaliatory measures against its nationals, a government statement said, a week after Swiss authorities arrested the son of Libyan leader Moamer Qadhafi.

“A diplomatic delegation left Bern for Tripoli on Wednesday to give explanations to the Libyan authorities” on the arrest of Qadhafi’s son, added the Swiss foreign ministry in a statement. Hannibal Qadhafi, 32, was released on bail by Swiss police last week after being accused of assaulting staff at a Geneva hotel on July 15.

Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey spoke to her Libyan counterpart Abderrahman Shalgan by telephone on Tuesday and made a “firm protest,” whilestressing that she wished to avoid the issue from escalating, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the Libyan authorities on July 17 put “retaliatory measures” in place against Switzerland.

Libya’s envoy in Switzerland was recalled and the Libyan authorities suspended the issuing of visas to Swiss citizens, said the ministry.