Libya's Attorney General Issues Subpoena to Former Foreign Minister Regarding Meeting with Israeli Counterpart

03 October 2023

Libya's Attorney General Al-Siddiq al-Sour has ordered the summons of former Foreign Minister Najla El Mangoush to court over her meeting with Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen. As of now, El Mangoush is reportedly abroad, but her exact whereabouts remain undisclosed. The investigation against her is ongoing, and al-Sour has requested an intelligence assessment of the situation as well as the results of the administrative investigation.

 

It's worth noting that the attorney general has urged against "politicizing" these proceedings to avoid further divisions within Libya. This diplomatic scandal began when Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh suspended El Mangoush for her meeting with Cohen, prompting an investigation. The meeting itself occurred secretly in Rome with the assistance of Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, marking the first talks between the foreign ministers of Israel and Libya. Protests emerged in Libya in response to the allegations of this meeting.

 

According to Al Wasat, El Mangoush's actions are seen as violating Law No. 62, issued in 1957, "on boycotting Israel," which could lead to imprisonment from 3 to 10 years and a fine of up to 5,000 Libyan dinars (approximately $1,000). Reports suggest that El Mangoush may have left for London, where some of her relatives reside.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: aboodi vesakaran/Unsplash

Based on materials from TASS