After Libya controversy, Netanyahu says must approve secret meetings

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
29 Aug 2023 18:36
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Netanyahu demands that the publicizing of any secret diplomatic meetings must first be given a green light by his office.

Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush attends a signing ceremony in Doha on August 8, 2022 (AFP)

Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a "decisive" decision after a secret meeting that brought together Libya's Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush and that of the Israeli occupation Eli Cohen in Italy last week sparked controversy on both sides, Israeli media reported.

According to The Times of "Israel", "Netanyahu issued a directive on Tuesday requiring all secret diplomatic gatherings to be approved by his office."

"The premier also demanded that the publicizing of any covert diplomatic meetings must first be given a green light by the Prime Minister’s Office," the Israeli news website added.

On Monday, the Israeli occupation's Foreign Ministry claimed that neither it nor Cohen had anything to do with the "leak" about his meeting with al-Mangoush, without clarifying who was behind the so-called leak.

Earlier, the Ministry had quoted Cohen as saying that he discussed with al-Mangoush "the importance of preserving the heritage of Libyan Jews, which includes renovating synagogues and Jewish cemeteries in the country."

Cohen described the meeting as "historic" and a "first step" in the normalization of ties between the two sides.

"Libya's size and strategic location offer a huge opportunity" for "Israel," Cohen was quoted as saying.

The meeting in Rome had been hosted by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the Israeli occupation Foreign Ministry noted.

Angry #Libyans took to the streets after last week’s meeting between the foreign ministers of "Israel" and #Libya was exposed. pic.twitter.com/VrwWGrBOUp
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 28, 2023

On his part, Israeli opposition figure Yair Lapid said that "the incident with the Libyan foreign minister was amateurish, irresponsible and a grave failure of judgment."

In the same context, the Israeli Channel 13 reported that the acting US Ambassador to the Israeli occupation, Stephanie Hallett, told Cohen on Monday that his publicizing of his meeting with al-Mangoush in Rome was concerning. According to the Israeli channel, Hallett told the Israeli occupation Foreign Minister that it was a misstep that needed to be fixed.

In response, Cohen pledged that "Israel" would not further discuss the incident in public, as per Channel 13.

The secret meeting between Cohen and al-Mangoush sparked protests Sunday night in Tripoli and other Libyan cities when demonstrators refusing normalization with the Israeli occupation blocked roads with burning tires and waved Palestinian flags.

The Libyan Foreign Ministry claimed in a communique that "what happened in Rome was an unofficial and unprepared casual meeting, during a meeting with the Italian foreign minister, and it did not include any discussions, agreements or consultations."

However, al-Mangoush's office said that the meeting took place with the permission of Libya's internationally recognized Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh.

The revelation follows a governmental decision to dismiss al-Mangoush from her position as a result of the backlash that Libyan authorities faced following her meeting with her Israeli counterpart in Italy.

Al-Mangoush's office stated that the meeting came after Dbeibeh met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni last month in Rome, where the secret meeting was planned.

The office stated that in exchange for scheduling the meeting with Cohen, the Italian government promised Dbeibeh to reopen the Rome-Tripoli air route, which did indeed take place on July 10.

Al-Magoush's office stressed that the minister will not allow herself to be scapegoated, adding that she could resort to several options in the future to protect herself.

Similarly, Israeli media reported that the meeting between al-Mangoush and Cohen was "coordinated at the highest levels," adding that the details of the meeting were planned to be published.