February 28, 2010 - After two centuries of neutrality, Switzerland found itself in a bizarre and unprecedented situation last weekend, facing a would-be "holy war" announced by Libya's Moammar Gadhafi. The Swiss government declined to comment on Col. Gadhafi's latest salvo in a simmering diplomatic saga stemming from the Geneva police's 2008 arrest and brief detainment of his son, Hannibal, and his wife for purportedly beating up their servants. Although Col. Gadhafi's jihad declaration late Thursday was widely viewed as a stunt by a leader given to outlandish behavior, the danger was difficult to dismiss in an era of Islamic-Western foment over issues ranging from headdress bans in Europe to faraway Middle East disputes, Iran's nuclear program and Nordic newspapers' caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. Analysts urged caution and Swiss citizens and politicians expressed alarm that a nation which managed to steer clear of direct involvement in the world wars and other bloody European conflicts was being dragged into an increasingly messy — if still nonviolent — conflict with an unpredictable government. "You never know with crazies," nationalist lawmaker Oskar Freysinger said. "I can imagine that this won't be taken very seriously. But nevertheless, it's the head of a state making a declaration of war against Switzerland." Click below for story.
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