Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush recently made headlines with her controversial meeting with her Israeli counterpart in Rome. This sent political shock waves through Libya, leading to his ousting from government by Libyan Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah. This diplomatic scandal raises several questions about political tensions, regional alliances and the normalization of relations with Israel.
The meeting between Najla al-Mangoush and Eli Cohen, Israel’s foreign minister, was described as “incidental and unofficial” by Najla al-Mangoush’s ministry. However, his ouster from the government suggests that this meeting was more than just a coincidence. Some analysts believe that Abdelhamid Dbeibah was aware of this meeting and used it as a pretext to oust Najla al-Mangoush. This raises questions about political divisions in Libya and power plays within the government.
From a regional point of view, this meeting between Libya and Israel raises questions about the normalization of relations. Libya does not officially recognize Israel and opposes any normalization with the Jewish state. However, it is possible that external pressure has been exerted on Libya to adhere to normalization agreements, such as the Abraham Accords signed by the United Arab Emirates and other Arab countries. This could explain why Abdelhamid Dbeibah would have agreed to the meeting between Najla al-Mangoush and Eli Cohen.
This diplomatic scandal also highlights political divisions and regional rivalries in Libya. Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has been plunged into political chaos and rivalries between different armed groups. Two rival governments are vying for power, that of Abdelhamid Dbeibah in the West and that of the East supported by Marshal Khalifa Haftar. Tensions between these two political factions complicate efforts to consolidate power and stabilize the country.
In conclusion, the ousting of Najla al-Mangoush from the Libyan government following her meeting with the Israeli foreign minister raises questions about political divisions in Libya, regional pressures and the normalization of relations with Israel. It also highlights the challenges facing Libya in its quest for political stability and effective governance. The political situation in Libya remains fragile and subject to many twists and turns, which underlines the importance of careful diplomacy and the search for consensus within the country