Libya suspends foreign minister after meeting with Israeli counterpart
Libya's foreign minister, Najla Mangoush, has been dismissed after meeting with her Israeli counterpart, Eli Cohen, last week in Rome. This was announced by the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who has also issued an order to the Ministry of Justice to launch an "administrative investigation" into what happened.
Meanwhile, the High Council of State expressed its "surprise" at the meeting, assuring that those responsible for the meeting "will be held accountable". Libya and Israel do not have diplomatic relations and have not reached any agreements throughout their history. Yet Libya, like other North African countries, has a strong Jewish heritage. Former dictator Muammar Gaddafi tried to erase this history, destroying most synagogues and converting them into mosques, and expelling approximately 38,000 Jews from the country. Gaddafi was known for his rejection of the state of Israel and his support for the Palestinians, including armed groups.
It was precisely this Jewish heritage and the importance of preserving it - including the rebuilding of synagogues and Jewish cemeteries - that Mangoush and Cohen discussed, according to the Israeli foreign ministry. According to the Israeli foreign ministry, the two ministers also discussed "the great potential of their relations for the two countries".
The meeting - which was hosted by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani - also discussed possible Israeli cooperation and assistance in humanitarian issues, agriculture and water management, Cohen added.
Following the Israeli ministry's statement, Libya's Presidential Council demanded "clarifications" from the government, Libya Al-Ahrar TV reported. This body, which has some executive powers, emerged from the UN-backed political process and includes three members representing the three Libyan provinces. According to the council, this meeting "does not reflect the foreign policy of the Libyan state, does not represent Libyan national values and is considered a violation of Libyan laws that criminalise normalisation with the 'Zionist entity'". The body therefore called on the head of government "to apply the law if the meeting took place".
#UPDATE: Fire set to entrance of UN mission headquarters in Janzur, Libya during protest#Libya #UN #Janzur #UNHQ #Fire #Protests pic.twitter.com/ShzNi78JM0
— EMEA Intel (@emea_intel) August 28, 2023
For its part, the Libyan foreign ministry clarified that Mangoush had rejected a meeting with Israeli representatives and that what happened was "a chance and unprepared meeting during a meeting at the Italian foreign ministry". In a statement, the Libyan ministry accused Israel of trying to "present this incident as a meeting or talks". The statement also assured that the interaction between the two sides did not include "any negotiations, agreements or consultations", stressing that the ministry "renews its total and absolute rejection of normalisation" with Israel.
Protesters storm #GNU Foreign Ministry headquarters in #Tripoli condemning the meeting that brought together FM #Najla_Mangoush and her #Israeli counterpart, #Eli_Cohen.
— The Libya Update (@TheLibyaUpdate) August 27, 2023
The #Libya_Update pic.twitter.com/BVkJu7sB8j
In addition to a total rejection by Libyan political authorities, the meeting has also sparked protests in the country. Dozens of Libyans have taken to the streets of Tripoli and other cities to express their rejection of possible normalisation with Israel. Young protesters blocked roads, burned tyres and waved the Palestinian flag in several parts of the country. Similarly, according to The Libya Update, several citizens stormed the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tripoli to condemn the meeting between Mangoush and Cohen. The National News also reported incidents near Dbeibah's residence, shootings at the Foreign Ministry and a fire at the entrance of the UN headquarters in Janzur.
