Former Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, disclosed that his meeting with the ousted Libyan Foreign Minister, Najla Al-Mangoush was “pre-coordinated and planned at various levels in both Libya and Israel.”
Cohen clarified in an interview with “Israel Hayom” that the information he disclosed, “wasn’t a leak but an official announcement. When the full story is revealed at the appropriate time, everyone who attacked me will have to apologize,” he said.
The Libyan public’s reaction shocked the Government of National Unity (GNU), compelling them to deny seeking normalization, and official relations between Tel Aviv and Tripoli.
Libya does not recognize Israel as a state, and its laws prohibit any form of dealings with the Zionist entity at political, economic, and social levels. Libyan legislation imposes imprisonment and fines on anyone dealing with Israeli citizens.
The meeting sparked widespread anger in Libya, with political parties expressing condemnation. Hundreds of Libyans took to the streets to express their rejection of the meeting in cities such as Tripoli, Al-Zawiyah, Benghazi, and Al-Marj.
In response, Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba officially dismissed Al-Mangoush, and referred her for investigation.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to place responsibility on Cohen for revealing details of the secret meeting, according to Reuters.
Cohen’s office made public on 26 August his encounter with Al-Mangoush, which had taken place earlier in the month in Italy. This announcement closely followed an Israeli media report about the meeting.
The Libyan Attorney General, Al-Sadiq Al-Sour stated that Al-Mangoush, “cannot be summoned before charges are made according to the law, and we have twice requested intelligence reports on the incident to confirm this.” He emphasised the demand for reports to document this violation.
Libyan Justice Minister, Halima Ibrahim affirmed her commitment to the confidentiality of the investigation. Al-Sour had earlier mentioned the formation of a committee to investigate the Rome incident.
Earlier, the Spokesman for the Libyan Parliament, Abdullah Blaiheg announced the unanimous vote in favour of a law criminalising normalisation with Israel.
The House had agreed to amend the law, to strengthen the penalties in Law No. 62 of 1957 related to the criminalisation of normalisation with Israel.
This includes criminalising travel to and from Israel, or establishing any contacts or relationships with Israeli individuals or entities. As well as prohibiting Israeli aircraft and ships from passing through Libya.
