Libya’s former regime had initially entered into a 670,000 euro contract with the Italian consulting firm IRD Engineering to oversee the maintenance of the Derna dams. However, this agreement was terminated due to a diplomatic crisis between Libya and Switzerland in 2008. The maintenance was expected to take 60 months, as indicated in a preliminary report prepared by two Swiss companies, Stucki SA and Norbert SA, on behalf of IRD Engineering.
The diplomatic conflict between the two countries arose when Hannibal Gaddafi and his wife were arrested in Geneva in July 2008, accused of physically assaulting two domestic employees while staying at a luxury hotel. This arrest led to a two-year-long dispute, during which Libya halted oil supplies, withdrew substantial funds from Swiss banks, imposed visa restrictions on Swiss citizens, and recalled several of its diplomats. This turmoil ultimately led to the cancellation of the maintenance contract.
Adapted from Africa Intelligence