Exiled FM: ‘Government knew all’

Libya’s suspended Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush has broken her silence over her controversial meeting with then-Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, saying it was coordinated by the Libyan government to discuss Mediterranean maritime issues.

Speaking for the first time since the incident on Al Jazeera’s “Atheer” podcast, Mangoush said the secret meeting in Rome was arranged at her government’s request and she was tasked with delivering “a specific message.”

“The meeting was coordinated between the Government of National Unity and Israel,” Mangoush said, adding that discussions centered on “Libya’s security and stability, particularly regarding territorial waters in the Mediterranean.”

She claimed to have confronted Cohen about Palestinian rights during the meeting, saying she “conveyed the Libyan people’s supportive stance towards Palestinians and rejection of [Israeli] policies.”

The former minister defended her year-long silence, saying the government denied her requests to address the media. She expressed surprise at being asked to leave Libya without investigation, revealing that officials arranged her departure to Turkey via private aircraft.

The August 2023 meeting sparked widespread protests in Libya, where relations with Israel remain controversial. Mangoush was suspended shortly after news of the meeting leaked.

Libya does not officially recognise Israel and has historically supported Palestinian causes.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​