Libyan FM flees to Turkey after backlash from meeting with Israeli FM
3 Min Read
The strong reaction in the north African state shows that the topic of normalizing relations with "Israel" is a serious one that should not be taken lightly.
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In this Aug. 19, 2021 photo, Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush speaks during a joint news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov following their talks in Moscow, Russia. (AP)
Media reports on Wednesday revealed that Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush has fled her country after news broke out a week ago that the diplomat held a secret meeting with the Israeli Foreign Minister in Rome.
Prior to her escape, al-Mangoush was suspended by the country's Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh on Sunday after she claimed that he authorized and planned the meeting with Cohen.
It is thought that al-Mangoush has gone to Turkey.
Al-Magoush's office said that the minister will not allow herself to be scapegoated, adding that she could resort to several options in the future to protect herself.
Her 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. It further related 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.
After the secret meeting with Cohen was leaked, Libya saw two consecutive nights of protests across the country.
Read more: US-'Israel' tensions surge amid Libya FM row
Why did 'Israel' leak the meeting?
According to The Guardian, it is unclear why the Israeli foreign ministry thought it would be wise to reveal news of the secret meeting between Cohen and Al-Magoush.
The strong reaction in the North African state shows that the topic of normalizing relations with "Israel" is a serious one that should not be taken lightly.
In an attempt to appear uninvolved in the diplomatic blunder, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed all government officials to notify him of any secret diplomatic discussions in advance. His office has not clarified whether he was aware of the meeting beforehand.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry initially said that their foreign minister, Eli Cohen, and his Libyan counterpart, Najla al-Mangoush, held a meeting in Rome last week, which was hosted by the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani.
The foreign ministry said that it was only releasing information that had already been made public by a news outlet.
The Libyan foreign ministry's statement that the meeting in Rome was a "chance and unofficial encounter" was seen by many as an unconvincing attempt to cover up the fact that the meeting was planned and deliberate.
In a country with a fragile political situation and two rival governments, Dbeibeh, who relies on Turkey for his tenuous hold on power, can ill afford a political setback like this, especially after his authority was recently challenged by violent clashes in the capital between rival militias.
The news of the meeting between the Israeli and Libyan foreign ministers sparked protests in several Libyan cities and a letter from the country's presidential council requesting clarification.
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— AbdulWahab (@AbdulWahab1_2) August 28, 2023
Libyans raise the Palestine flag in response to the meeting of Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush with the Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen and the rejection of normalization between the two countries.#Libya #Palestine 🇵🇸🇱🇾 pic.twitter.com/3U59Rw2g8Z
Read more: After Libya controversy, Netanyahu says must approve secret meetings
