ROME – Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush met last week in Rome, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, marking the first known official talks between foreign ministers of the two countries.
The meeting, hosted by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, focused on exploring potential cooperation and relations between Israel and Libya, as well as preserving the heritage of Libyan Jews, the Jerusalem Post reported.
In remarks following the talks, Minister Cohen spoke positively about the significance of the meeting, calling it “a first step” in developing Israel-Libya ties. He emphasized Libya’s strategic importance for Israel given its geography.
Minister Cohen situated the encounter within Israel’s broader diplomatic outreach efforts toward countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The Libyan Foreign Ministry has not publicly commented on last week’s meeting in Rome. The talks were confirmed by former Israeli spokesman Ofer Gendelman and other Israeli officials.