Switzerland has considered formal relations with Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) since 12 June 2011, dispatching an official envoy to Benghazi to "intensify its political relations with the Libyan National Transitional Council" and "signal its intent to strengthen its presence there".

Relations between the states began to sour in July 2008 when Switzerland arrested the Libyan leader's son, Hannibal Gaddafi, and daughter-in-law for allegedly beating their servants at a hotel.

[8] At the 35th G8 summit, Gaddafi publicly called for the dissolution of Switzerland, its territory to be divided among France, Italy and Germany.

[9] In February 2010, Gaddafi called for an all-out conflict against Switzerland in a speech held in Benghazi on the occasion of Mawlid.

Gaddafi, in reference to the ban on new minarets, described Switzerland as an "idolator harlot" (كافرة فاجرة[10]) and apostate.

[11] On 12 November 2009, Libyan prosecutors charged the two Swiss businessmen with visa irregularities, tax evasion, and failing to respect rules governing companies working in Libya.

Under the plan, Swiss commandos would infiltrate into Libya and break the men out of prison, possibly clashing with Libyan security forces in the process, and would then smuggle them out of the country.

Italy was concerned about the effect this could have on its own diplomatic relationship with Libya, and especially on their combined efforts to stop illegal immigration from Africa into Europe.

[22] As a result of the ban foreign nationals from certain countries were not permitted entry into Libya at Tripoli airport,[21] including eight Maltese citizens, one of whom was forced to wait for 20 hours before he was able to return home.