ALBAWABA - The Libyan Prime Minister announced suspending Foreign Minister Najla El Mangoush on Sunday following Israel's disclosed a "historic secret meeting" that took place in Rome between its Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and Libya's El Mangoush.
"It was decided to suspend Libyan Foreign Minister Najla El Mangoush and to launch an investigation against her," said a decree published by the Government of National Unity.
This meeting prompted a number of protests across the city of Zawiya, where protestors burned the Israeli flag to voice their opposition against the diplomatic engagement.
Similarly, in Tajoura, to the east of Tripoli, protestors blocked a main street in, rejecting the meeting between the Libyan Foreign Minister and her Israeli counterpart.
Israel's statement
Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said in the statement from Israeli foreign ministry "I spoke with the foreign minister about the great potential for the two countries from their relations,".
"What happened in Rome was a chance and unofficial encounter, during a meeting with his Italian counterpart, which did not involve any discussion, agreement or consultation," the ministry said in a statement.
According to Israel's announcement of the meeting, the two parties discussed possible cooperation, including Israeli aid in humanitarian issues, agriculture, and water management.
Libyan reaction
Meanwhile, the foreign ministry stated on its Facebook page that El Mangoush had denied any meetings with Israeli representatives, in keeping with the position of the Government of National Unity.
The Libyan foreign ministry described it as a "chance and unofficial encounter. What happened in Rome was an unofficial meeting that was not pre-planned," the ministry said, adding that the meeting, which took place during talks with the Italian foreign minister, did not involve any agreements, DW reported.
In recent years, Israel has normalized its diplomatic ties with several Arab countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.
