A recent report by Italian newspaper "Il Fogli" has sparked controversy, suggesting that Libyan politician Sadam Hifter met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi. The alleged meeting took place during Netanyahu's surprise visit to the UAE on September 25. According to the report, a Libyan government plane landed in Abu Dhabi shortly after Netanyahu's arrival, citing flight tracking data.
The report claims that Hifter's meeting with Netanyahu aimed to secure political support for his potential presidential bid in Libya. It also mentions previous communications between Hifter and Israeli officials, as well as efforts to strengthen ties with American and international officials. However, there has been no official confirmation from Libyan, Israeli, or UAE authorities regarding the alleged meeting.
Israeli broadcaster "Kan" has confirmed that Netanyahu held a meeting with high-ranking officials from several Middle Eastern countries during his visit to Abu Dhabi. The meeting, which was subject to Israeli military censorship, included discussions on the Iranian dossier and regional cooperation to counter it. A Libyan government plane was among those that landed in Abu Dhabi during Netanyahu's visit.
Israeli network "i24NEWS" has denied the report, citing information that confirms no meeting took place between Hifter and Netanyahu. The network had previously reported in November 2021 that Hifter secretly met with Israeli officials, offering to establish diplomatic relations in exchange for Israeli military and diplomatic assistance.
According to "i24NEWS", Hifter's meeting with Israeli officials included a proposal to normalize relations between Libya and Israel, similar to the Abraham Accords. The Accords established relations between Israel and several countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. The network cited Israel's Haaretz newspaper, which reported that a private plane carrying Hifter and Israeli officials landed at Ben Gurion Airport in 2021.
On September 25, Sadam Hifter arrived in Abu Dhabi, where he was received by UAE Deputy President Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The meeting between Netanyahu and Hifter, if confirmed, would mark a significant development in Libya's relations with Israel. Libya and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations.
The controversy surrounding the alleged meeting highlights the complex nature of Libya's international relations. While some reports suggest a possible rapprochement between Libya and Israel, others deny any such development. The incident underscores the need for clarity on the nature of Hifter's visit to Abu Dhabi and his interactions with Netanyahu and other officials.
Key points
- - A report suggests that Sadam Hifter met with Benjamin Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi. - Israeli and Libyan authorities have not officially confirmed the meeting. - The alleged meeting has sparked controversy, with some reports suggesting a possible rapprochement between Libya and Israel.
