Israeli officials say Libya meeting ‘coordinated at highest level’

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – The first-ever public meeting between the foreign ministers of Israel and Libya was coordinated at the highest level, Israeli officials said on Monday.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Sunday he had met with his Libyan counterpart Najla Al-Mangoush for the first time in history in Rome last week.

He said the meeting explored the possibilities for cooperation and relations between the two countries and the preservation of the heritage of Libyan Jews.

But the Libyan Foreign Ministry said the meeting was “informal” and “impromptu” and it did not involve any discussion, agreement or consultation.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, citing unnamed Israeli officials, said the meeting was “coordinated at the highest level” between the two countries.

The meeting took place with the knowledge of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they said.

According to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, the Israeli-Libyan contacts were not limited to this meeting and that talks were held in recent months between Israeli and Libyan officials.

“Israel tried in recent months to convince Libya to join the Negev Forum comprised of Israel, the US, Egypt, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain,” KAN said.

The meeting between the Israeli and Libyan foreign ministers has triggered a wave of anger inside Libya, with the Libyan government suspending Al-Mangoush from her post.

Libya does not recognize Israel and does not have diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv. It is forbidden by law to have relations with Israel.

Six Arab countries have diplomatic ties with Israel starting with Egypt in 1979, Jordan in 1994, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco in 2020.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar