Israel’s foreign minister engaged in a meeting with his Libyan counterpart in Italy last week. Notably, this interaction took place despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries. A statement issued by the Israeli foreign ministry on Sunday confirmed this development.
The meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush was facilitated by Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani.

“I spoke with the foreign minister about the great potential for the two countries from their relations,” Cohen said in a statement, “as well as the importance of preserving the heritage of Libyan Jewry, which includes renovating synagogues and Jewish cemeteries in the country.”

The ministers discussed historic ties between the countries, and “the possibility of cooperation between the countries, and Israeli aid in humanitarian issues, agriculture, water management,” according to the statement.