Libyan Prime Minister suspended Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush on Sunday (August 27) in the aftermath of her Israeli counterpart announcing that he had held talks with her last week in Rome — an informal meeting. Al-Mangoush's meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen sparked widespread protests because Libya does not recognise it and backs the Palestinian cause. The Libyan foreign ministry described it as a "chance and unofficial encounter" and the foreign ministry said that Mangoush had "refused to meet with any party" representing Israel. In the statement from Israel's foreign ministry, Cohen said: "I spoke with the foreign minister about the great potential for the two countries from their relations." The Libyan foreign ministry accused Israel of trying to "present this incident" as a "meeting or talks".

Source: Libya Today August 28, 2023 13:44 UTC