Libya protests: Why have protests broken out in Libya after the country's foreign minister was accused of 'grand treason'?

Libya has suspended its foreign minister after she met with her Israeli counterpart.

Roads have been blocked, tyres burned and a residence of the prime minister attacked in protests in Libya’s capital after the country’s foreign minister was suspended from the government over a meeting with Israel.

Najla al-Mangoush has been accused of “grand treason” and an investigation has been launched after it emerged she met with Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen last week – the first time foreign ministers from the two nations have held a meeting.

Why has Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush been suspended?

Libyans burn tyres as they protest in Tripoli. Picture: Mahmud Turkia/AFP via Getty Images

It emerged Ms al-Mangoush met last week with Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen in Rome.

She has been suspended by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who heads the government of national unity in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. The Libyan government is split between the interim, internationally recognised government in Tripoli and a rival one in the east.

Her ministry initially tried to play down the meeting, claiming it had happened by chance. However, it has since been revealed it was planned and brokered by Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani. The ministry said the meeting was "unprepared and an unofficial meeting during a meeting with Italy's foreign minister”.

Why is the meeting so controversial?

Libya, which has historically backed the Palestinian cause, does not recognise Israel internationally.

Meanwhile, Libya’s ancient Jewish community was persecuted by Nazi occupiers in the Second World War, and tens of thousands fled to Israel in the following years, amid antisemitic riots and policies.

Those who remained were persecuted by former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, resulting in almost all Jews leaving the country.

What did they discuss?

Mr Cohen said they discussed "the great potential for the relations" between Israel and Libya and the importance of preserving the heritage of Libya's former Jewish community, including renovating synagogues and cemeteries. The talks also touched on possible Israeli assistance for humanitarian issues, agriculture and water management, according to Israel's foreign ministry.

Libya's foreign ministry has insisted Ms Mangoush's encounter with Mr Cohen did not include "any talks, agreements or consultations".

What happened in Libya after the meeting was revealed?

Sunday's announcement of the meeting prompted scattered protests in Tripoli and other towns in western Libya. Protesters stormed the foreign ministry headquarters to condemn the meeting, while others attacked and burned a residence for the prime minister in Tripoli, according to local reports.

In the town of Zawiya protesters burned the Israeli flag, while others held the Palestinian flag.

Khalid al-Mishri, an Islamist politician who was the chairman of the State Council, a Tripoli-based legislative body, condemned the meeting and called for the dismissal of Mr Dbeibah's government, which is close to the US and the West.

The east-based House of Representatives also slammed the meeting as a "legal and moral crime". It called for an emergency session on Monday in the eastern city of Benghazi.

In Israel, Yair Lapid, a former foreign minister and prime minister, criticised Mr Cohen for going public with the sensitive meeting.

He said: "Countries of the world this morning are looking at the irresponsible leak of the meeting of the Israeli and Libyan foreign minister and asking themselves ‘is it possible to manage foreign relations with this country? Is it possible to trust this country?’"