Libya takes action against minister for engaging in discussions with Israel

Monday August 28, 2023

Najla al-Mangoush acknowledged an unplanned and unofficial meeting

After it was revealed that Libya’s foreign minister, Najla al-Mangoush, had a meeting with her Israeli counterpart in Rome last week, she has been suspended from her position.

Israel hailed the meeting as a groundbreaking initial step towards establishing relations.

However, al-Mangoush stated that the encounter was coincidental and unofficial, occurring during discussions with the Italian foreign minister.

Al-Mangoush is currently under investigation, with the findings to be submitted to the prime minister within three days.

The presidential council, representing Libya’s three provinces, declared that normalizing relations with Israel is illegal.

The parliamentary speaker’s office has accused al-Mangoush of committing a grave act of betrayal and has called for an emergency session on Monday.

Despite improved relations between Israel and certain Arab and Muslim-majority nations, there are still no formal diplomatic ties between Israel and Libya.