In a recent development, Libya’s Prime Minister took a surprising step on Sunday by suspending Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush. This decision was sparked by an incident involving Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who claimed to have met with Mangoush despite the absence of formal relations between the two countries.
Israel’s announcement of the meeting, during which discussions of potential cooperation took place, triggered small-scale protests within Libya. It’s worth noting that Libya does not acknowledge Israel diplomatically.
Libya’s Foreign Ministry countered the claims, asserting that Mangoush had turned down a meeting with Israeli representatives. According to their statement, the encounter was an unplanned and casual occurrence at Italy’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. The Libyan ministry emphasized that no formal discussions, agreements, or consultations happened and reiterated their resolute rejection of normalization with Israel.
Since 2020, Israel has been working to normalize relations with other countries like the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, facilitated by the “Abraham Accords” with the backing of the United States.
“I discussed with the foreign minister the significant potential that can stem from our relations,” stated Israel’s Cohen about the meeting. This encounter was arranged by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and reportedly involved discussions about potential collaboration, including Israeli assistance in humanitarian matters, agriculture, and water management.
Cohen also mentioned that he talked to Mangoush about the importance of preserving Jewish heritage within Libya. However, Libya’s complex foreign policy situation arises from years of internal conflict and divisions regarding governance and legitimacy.
The Government of National Unity (GNU) assumed power in 2021 through a U.N.-supported peace process. However, since 2022, its legitimacy has been contested by the eastern-based parliament following a failed election attempt. Past foreign policy actions by the GNU, including agreements with Turkey, have faced opposition from the parliament and legal challenges.
In light of this situation, the Presidency Council, acting as the head of state, called upon GNU Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah for clarification on the events that unfolded.
This situation highlights the delicate dynamics surrounding Libya’s foreign policy and internal divisions. The incident raises questions about the government’s credibility and its ability to navigate international relations while contending with domestic challenges.
