Libyan Foreign Minister Suspended After Controversial Meeting

In Libya, violent protests erupted following the revelation of an unofficial meeting between the Libyan Foreign Minister, Najla al-Mangoush, and her Israeli counterpart, Eli Cohen. Despite both countries lacking official diplomatic relations, the politician has been provisionally suspended.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba has reportedly relieved the Foreign Minister from her duties in order to investigate the matter. Libya does not recognize Israel and maintains a law from 1957 that criminalizes any contact with the country. According to Libyan news site Al-Wasat, citing security sources, al-Mangoush has since flown to Turkey on a government plane.

The disclosure of the meeting triggered massive protests in Libya, with the Presidential Council demanding clarification from the government. Violent demonstrations erupted in the streets of the capital, Tripoli, where eyewitnesses reported the burning of tires and roadblocks. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Dbaiba. A video circulated on the internet allegedly shows individuals setting fire to Dbaiba’s residence, although the presence of the Prime Minister at the time of the incident remains unverified.

The Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied any meetings with Cohen in Rome. The ministry issued a statement claiming that the gathering in the Italian capital was merely “informal” and “unplanned.” The ministry categorically rejected any normalization of relations with Israel.

Prior to the denial, Cohen’s office had announced that he and his Libyan counterpart had met in Rome. The discussion, facilitated by Italy, reportedly focused on “the great potential of relations between the two countries.” Cohen described it as a “first step” in Israel-Libya relations, stating that “the size and strategic location of Libya offer immense opportunities for Israel.” The meeting was said to have taken place under the auspices of Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

Previous contacts between representatives of both countries have been reported in the past, though not at this high level. Israeli media had previously mentioned powerful eastern Libyan General Khalifa Haftar, a former presidential candidate, seeking military and diplomatic support from Israel. In return, Haftar allegedly offered to establish relations with Israel if he won the election, which never took place.

Since the ousting of former Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has been embroiled in a civil war. With two governments and numerous militias vying for power in a de facto divided nation, sporadic violence and clashes between rival factions continue, despite a ceasefire implemented in 2020. Various foreign states, including Turkey and Russia, are involved in the conflict. All previous diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict have proven unsuccessful.

Israel has recently normalized relations with several countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, under the auspices of U.S. mediation. Prior to these agreements, only Egypt and Jordan had official diplomatic ties with Israel among Arab nations