Reuters ahead as Libya-Switzerland standoff intensifies, drags in EU

Reuters led the pack throughout a diplomatic row between Libya and Switzerland that threatened to draw in the whole of the European Union and put at risk billions of dollars of investments in OPEC oil producer Libya. The dispute dated back almost two years and involved two Swiss businessman, barred from leaving Libya since 2008. The men had taken refuge in the Swiss embassy. As the standoff intensified in recent weeks, Reuters was ahead at every turn. On Feb 15, Reuters broke the news that Libya had stopped issuing visas to citizens from many EU member states. The move threatened to undermine Europe’s booming business ties with Libya, which has attracted billions of dollars of foreign investment since it ended its international isolation. On Feb 22, Libyan police surrounded the Swiss embassy and took delivery of the two wanted businessmen. Once again Reuters was far ahead with the news - more than 10 minutes ahead of its closest competitor.