Al-Mangoush's dismissal sparks controversy over Libyan-Israeli ties

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
28 Aug 2023 17:40

Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh has dismissed Libya's FM Najla al-Mangoush although she said the meeting with Cohen was with the Premier's permission.

Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush smiles as she chairs the Arab League foreign ministers annual meeting in Cairo, Egypt,, September 6, 2022. (AP)

The office of the Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Najla al-Mangoush, announced on Monday that the meeting she held with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, was authorized by the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity in Libya, 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 with Cohen was authorized by Dbeibeh and came after the latter met with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, last month in Rome, where the secretive 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.

Furthermore, the Foreign Minister's office claims that Dbeibeh requested that al-Mangoush issue a statement saying the talks with Cohen were just a coincidence as news of the meeting broke out on Sunday night in Israeli media outlets.

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, as she stressed that the meeting was executed upon Dbeibeh's request.

Dbeibeh's government downplays talks with "Israel"

The news of the normalization meeting prompted a wave of anger among Libyans on social media, condemning what they perceive as an act of "betrayal" committed by everyone involved.

Moreover, in a display of dissent against the government over its normalization meeting with the Israeli occupation, Libyan protesters set fire the Israeli flag ablaze during demonstrations in the cities of Al-Zawiya and Tajoura.

This prompted the Libyan Foreign Ministry to issue a statement downplaying the magnitude of the secretive meeting between Cohen and al-Mangdoush under Italian auspices.

The Ministry claimed that it remains adherent to Al-Quds as the eternal capital of Palestine, adding that this is a firm position that cannot be reversed.

It further asserted that al-Mangoush refused to hold any meetings with any party representing the Israeli entity, and she remains firm regarding that position.

Earlier, the Ministry said what happened in Rome was an informal and unplanned casual meeting during a meeting with the Italian Foreign Minister, adding that it renews its complete and absolute rejection of normalization [of relations with "Israel"] and confirms once again its firm position regarding the Palestinian cause.

However, Israeli media reported on Monday that the meeting was "coordinated at the highest levels," adding that the details of the meeting were planned to be published.

The Libyan government "has an interest in contacting Israel," Israeli media claimed, pointing out that this matter "advances its [Libyan] relations with the West as well."

According to Haaretz, Libyan authorities called on the occupation entity to delete the meeting announcement, "but it was too late."

'Israel' hails the historic meeting

On Saturday, the meeting was described by the occupation's media outlets as "historic", as it drew substantial attention and controversy in Libya and the Arab world.

The secretive encounter marks the first time foreign ministers from "Israel" and Libya have engaged in direct talks, opening the door for the Libyan government to shamefully join the group of normalizing Arab states.

The discussions are believed to have revolved around opportunities for collaboration and communication, with a particular emphasis on preserving the heritage of Libyan Jews, according to Israeli occupation Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.

Cohen stated that the historic meeting was the first step in the relationship between the Israeli occupation and Libya. He emphasized that Libya's size and location give it significant importance and immense potential for "Israel".

"This meeting comes in the context of a series of similar meetings with representatives from countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with the aim of expanding the circle of peace and normalization with Israel," he added.