TRIPOLI- In a bid to quell a growing uproar following a controversial meeting with her Israeli counterpart, Libya’s Prime Minister took the decision on Monday to dismiss Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush. The meeting in question, held with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in Rome, has stirred protests across various Libyan cities.
Mangoush attempted to downplay the encounter, labeling it as unplanned and informal. However, Israeli officials contradicted this assertion, asserting that the meeting, spanning two hours, was endorsed “at the highest levels in Libya.”
Divergent accounts surrounding Mangoush’s whereabouts have emerged. Some Libyan media outlets suggest she may have left for Turkey amidst the controversy, while others suggest she remains in the country, potentially placed on a no-fly list.
The sensitivity of the meeting arises from Libya’s absence of formal diplomatic recognition of Israel, coupled with the country’s resounding support, spanning the political spectrum, for the Palestinian cause in their pursuit of an independent state in territories occupied by Israel.
This controversy has exacerbated Libya’s internal political turbulence, further empowering the critics of Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah’s administration. This development comes at a critical juncture when the viability of his interim government has already been questioned.
Libya has grappled with instability since the overthrow of Muammar Qadhafi in 2011. Dbeibah’s interim government, which assumed office in 2021, faces non-recognition from certain significant factions. The clamor for a new unified administration to facilitate national elections is gaining momentum.
Demonstrations unfolded in front of Libya’s foreign ministry building, resulting in minor damage, while a considerable security presence was evident. Similar protests transpired in various parts of the capital, Tripoli, and other cities.
Despite efforts by Mangoush’s office to mitigate the outrage by asserting her refusal of an official meeting with Cohen, the narrative remains contested. An Israeli official maintained that the meeting was orchestrated at the highest echelons of Libyan leadership and endured for nearly two hours. This official perspective cited Libya’s Prime Minister considering Israel as a potential bridge to the West and the US administration.
Another Libyan official noted that Dbeibah sought Italy’s assistance to arrange the meeting, envisioning enhanced international support, especially from the United States, for his interim government.
With contributions from reuters
