Basel, February 24: Switzerland and Libya’s bitter diplomatic spat reached the streets of the Swiss city of Basel on Monday, with caricatures of Libyan leader Moamer Gathafi prominent at the city’s Fasnacht carnival.
Gathafi appeared in military costume on some of the thousands of hand-painted carnival lanterns, including one labelled “enemies of the year”.
Switzerland and Libya have been locked in a row following the July 2008 arrest of one of Gathafi’s son Hannibal in a hotel in Geneva, with Tripoli retaliating by blocking two Swiss businessmen from leaving Libyan territory.
One of the Swiss held in Libya left for home on Monday while the second emerged from his country’s embassy in Tripoli to serve time in jail.
Former Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz, who had apologised to Libya over the arrest in a bid to secure the two men’s release, was also mocked at the carnival.
One lantern showed Merz prostrate next to the Swiss flag with Gathafi sitting triumphantly on an elephant chasing a worried-looking cow.
Other lanterns showed Merz on his knees seeking pardon and in the mouth of a camel representing the Libyan leader.
Revellers at the three-day annual carnival often satirise current affairs with their costumes, masks and lanterns.
Following tradition, the festival began at 4:00 am (0300 GMT) on Monday, when all the lights in Basel were put out.
The 12,000 revellers then lit lanterns and groups in masks and elaborate costumes began a slow procession through the streets, playing flutes and drums.
—Agencies