Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said the Swiss referendum banning
the building of new minarets was an invitation for al-Qaeda to
launch attacks in Europe, the official news agency JANA reported on Sunday.
"They pretend they are 'fighting al-Qaeda and terrorism' whereas in fact they have just rendered it the greatest service," he said, referring to Switzerland with disdain as "the mafia of the world."
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| Iran warns Switzerland over minaret ban / AFP |
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Iranian foreign minister warns Swiss of 'consequences' over minaret ban; 'values such as tolerance, dialogue and respecting others’ religions should never be put to referendum,' he says |
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On November 29, more than 57% of Swiss voters approved a rightwing motion to ban minarets on mosques, a decision that has sparked an international backlash and charges of intolerance.
"Al-Qaeda militants are now saying: 'We warned you that they were our enemies... Look at what they are doing in Europe. Come and join us for a jihad (holy war) against Europe,'" Gaddafi said.
The Libyan leader, speaking at an academic ceremony on Saturday in Zliten, 160 km east of Tripoli, said Muslim countries now had an argument not to allow the building of new churches.
"I don't think anyone in the Muslim world will from now on authorize the construction of a church," Gaddafi said.
He warned Switzerland of the economic fallout of a rift with the Muslim world. "You must think of your interests. You need gas, ports, the sea, solar energy, investments," Gaddafi said.
Tripoli's own relations with Bern have been strained by the brief detention in July 2008 in Geneva of Gaddafi's son Hannibal and daughter-in-law after two servants had complained of mistreatment.
Two Swiss businessmen have since been held in the North African country.
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