Libyan FM Suspended, Flees Following Meeting With Israeli Minister

Najla Mangoush, the foreign minister of Libya, has been suspended from her position in the aftermath of a meeting held last week in Rome with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.

Reports indicate that Mangoush is facing an administrative suspension during the course of an investigation. However, conflicting accounts suggest that she hastily left the country on a private jet bound for Turkey, mere hours after the suspension was announced.

Libya’s Foreign Ministry described the Rome encounter as an incidental and unofficial interaction that lacked substantive discussions, agreements or consultations. Mangoush reportedly declined meetings with any Israeli representatives, while reiterating Libya’s clear stance on the Palestinian cause.

In response, Libyan Presidential Council leader Mohammed Menfi denounced the meeting’s alignment with Libya’s foreign policy, deeming it a breach of Libyan laws that criminalize normalization with Israel.

Contrastingly, Cohen’s office celebrated the talks as a crucial initial step in fostering a relationship between Israel and Libya.

The news sparked protests in several locations, reflecting solidarity with the Palestinian cause and opposition to Israel.

While the meeting took place at the residence of Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Taiani, sources reveal that it wasn’t impromptu. Preceding discussions with senior Libyan officials, including Mangoush, set the stage for the foreign ministers’ encounter.

The announcement of Mangoush’s suspension coincided with spontaneous protests primarily in Libya’s eastern areas, distinct from its western region. Demonstrations took place across various Libyan cities, with protestors burning Israeli flags in response to the meeting.

Furthermore, the Libyan Presidential Council has reportedly appealed to Prime Minister al-Dbeibeh to initiate an investigation into the circumstances of the foreign ministers’ meeting in Italy. The Justice and Construction Party, affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, criticized the encounter, expressing concern for the Libyan people and urging the dismissal of Mangoush from her post.

Mangoush, who emerged in Libyan politics after Muammar al-Qaddafi’s removal in 2011, has held the position of foreign minister in the Tripoli government under Prime Minister Abdul Hamid al-Dbeibeh since March 2021. She is Libya’s first female foreign minister.

With Libya’s political landscape divided between its Western (Tripoli) and Eastern (Benghazi) regions, a ceasefire has held since late 2020.

The meeting between Mangoush and Cohen marked the historic first encounter between foreign ministers of the two countries, which have no established diplomatic relations. The meeting covered topics such as historical ties, the legacy of Libya’s Jewish community, potential collaboration, and Israeli humanitarian assistance.

Cohen emphasized the historic significance of the meeting, highlighting the substantial potential for Israel-Libya relations due to Libya’s size and geographical location. He also mentioned the prospects of rejuvenating synagogues and Jewish cemeteries in Libya.

Most of Libya’s Jewish community migrated to Israel in the 1930s and subsequent years after Israel’s establishment. Covert communications between Israel and Libya have taken place over the past decade through channels such as the Foreign Ministry and Mossad.

Official sources within the Libyan government disclosed that the potential for normalization between Israel and Libya was broached during a January meeting between Prime Minister al-Dbeibeh and CIA Director William Burns. The source revealed that Burns suggested Libya consider joining the four Arab states that had already normalized ties with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords in 2020. While the Prime Minister initially expressed approval, concerns lingered about the public’s sentiment and support for the Palestinian cause.