Foreign Minister Naqla al-Mangoosh confirmed the arrival of his flight at Istanbul International Airport and left the country for Turkey after the head of the Libyan National Unity Government, Abdel Hamid al-Tabaiba, suspended him, Libyan local media reported. He recommended him for a presence and investigation in the wake of his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in Italy last week.

Libya’s Al-Wasat gate quoted a security source as saying that Al-Mangoosh had left Mitika International Airport and headed for Turkey, with the help of the government’s internal security system, earlier today, Monday.

The source said al-Mangoosh took off in a “Balcon” type private plane belonging to the Government of National Unity.

A private Falcon plane of the Provisional Government of National Unity has now landed at the airport #Istanbul International.
Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Al-Thabiba issued the decision to suspend the foreign minister #Nagla _ Al-Manqosh He mentions her for questioning in the context of her meeting with the Israeli foreign minister in Rome a week ago.#Libya# in the middle pic.twitter.com/FhmWlVqCn3

— Alwasatnewsly (@alwasatnewsly) August 28, 2023

For its part, the Homeland Security Agency denied reports circulating on social media that it allowed or facilitated al-Mangoosh’s travel, hours earlier.

The suspended minister said on his official page on the social networking site “Facebook” that “according to the usual environment, private or presidential terminal, usual environment and monitoring, the official channels of Mitika Airport have not passed.” Cameras will make that clear.”

Also, the security apparatus indicated that the minister’s name has been added to the list of those banned from traveling until he complies with the investigation, stressing that he stands with the aspirations of the Libyan people and respects their feelings, especially on the Palestinian issue. , and reiterated his condemnation of what Mangush had done.

Find out and stop

The decision to suspend Al-Mangosh came after the Israeli Foreign Ministry disclosed in a statement on Sunday – a “secret” meeting between the Israeli foreign minister and his Libyan counterpart in the Italian capital Rome last week -. Diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In turn, the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said – in a statement – that in line with the government’s approach, Minister Mangush refused to hold meetings with any party representing the Israeli establishment.

The ministry added that the meeting held in Rome was an informal and unprepared casual meeting and did not involve any discussions or agreements.

In the latest development, an Israeli official told Reuters that the meeting was pre-agreed at a “high level” in Libya and lasted more than an hour.

The meeting, mediated by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Taiani, was the first between the foreign ministers of Libya and Israel.

Earlier, the Israeli Foreign Ministry cited – in its statement – Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, “spoke with the Libyan Foreign Minister about the great potential for relations between the two countries and the importance of preserving the heritage of Libyan Jews, including the renovation of synagogues and Jewish cemeteries in the country.”

According to the same statement, Cohen said, “The historic meeting with al-Mangoush is the first step in the relationship between Israel and Libya,” adding that “Libya’s size and strategic location give relations enormous importance and potential for the State of Israel . . .”

The statement also noted that the two ministers discussed the historical ties between the two countries and “the possibilities of cooperation between the two countries and Israel’s assistance in humanitarian issues, agriculture and water management”. “The meeting came as an Israeli attempt to establish ties with Libya,” he pointed out.

Condemnation and Condemnation

The revelation of the meeting with Al-Mangosh Cohen sparked widespread local condemnation and angry reactions, at least calling for the minister to be sacked, reaching the point of calling for the overthrow of the government and showing the Libyan consensus against default.

On Sunday evening, the Presidential Council called on the unity government to clarify the truth of Mangush’s meeting with the foreign minister of the “Israeli Organization,” according to a letter confirmed by a spokesperson for the Presidential Council.

The Presidential Council, which has some executive powers and emerges from a political process supported by the United Nations, consists of 3 members representing the three Libyan authorities.

The development “does not reflect the foreign policy of the Libyan state and does not represent Libyan national constants, and is considered a violation of Libyan laws that criminalize normalization with the Zionist entity,” the letter said.

And if the meeting is proven, the government demanded “the most severe punishments in accordance with the laws and practices in force in Libya.”

In turn, the Supreme Council of State in Libya expressed its surprise at the meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of National Unity and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, and called on the competent authorities to hold those involved accountable.

The Accordance Bloc in the High Council called for Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangosh to be removed from her post after a meeting with an Israeli minister. Regarding the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Justice and Construction Party condemned the meeting and called on the prime minister to remove the foreign minister from his post.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the party described the meeting as suspicious, saying the move hurt the sentiments of all Libyans and required a full explanation.

In turn, the Libyan Change Party expressed deep shock at the alleged meeting, and in a statement it posted on Facebook, it stressed its categorical rejection of any ties (established) with the Zionist organization under any pretext.

The party renewed its stand with the Palestinian people and their just cause, noting that it was the cause of all Muslims, Arabs and free people in the world.

In context, the Democratic Party condemned the meeting with Mangush and Cohen, considering the government’s move (referring to the minister) as a dangerous and offensive precedent. Libyans agree, breaking the law.

In a statement, the party confirmed that the al-Tabaiba government was fully responsible for the brutal operation, as described.

For its part, Dar Al Ifta described the meeting as a blatant attack on the stability of the nation and religion, and called on the entire Libyan people to demand his ouster and hold him accountable for this crime.

Dar Al Ifta also took the government to task for the meeting and called for Dabaiba to be removed from his post.

In local reactions, Misrata’s Municipal Council and the Council of Elders and Dignitaries condemned the meeting, calling it a “dangerous precedent regarding the Libyan stance towards the legitimate Palestinian cause”.

Baladi Misrata stressed that national values ​​and constants should not be compromised under any circumstances, supporting al-Manqush’s suggestion of investigation and suspension of work.

Famously, protests erupted in the streets of Tripoli and its suburbs on Sunday evening, rejecting normalization with Israel. The protests spread to other cities, where youths blocked roads, burned tires and waved the Palestinian flag.

Promulgated in 1957, Libyan Law no. 62, which prohibits every natural or legal person, whether in person or through an intermediary, from entering into any contract with bodies or persons resident in Israel or with persons of their nationality or employment. That or with those on their behalf.

Violators are liable to imprisonment for a term not less than three years and not more than 10 years and fine.