Greek Foreign Minister cuts visit to Tripoli short after diplomatic incident

·

Greece’s foreign minister Nikos Dendias called off the first leg of a visit to Libya on Thursday, refusing to disembark from his plane after landing in the capital of Tripoli, Greek authorities said.

Dendias instead flew to the city of Benghazi in Libya’s east.

The Greek Foreign Minister was on a two-part trip that was to include a meeting with the president of Libya’s western, Tripoli-based government, Mohamed Younis Menfi. That was to be followed by a meeting in Benghazi with the east-based administration.

A terse statement from the Greek ministry indicated Dendias did not want to meet with his Tripoli counterpart, Najla Mangoush, yet she came to the airport to greet him.

As soon as Dendias was informed of the presence of Mangoush at the airport, he decided to immediately leave for Benghazi without even getting off the government plane.

Dendias later told reporters that Mangoush “tried to force me, by her presence at the airport, to meet with her.”

Mangoush, who is a minister with the Tripoli caretaker government, signed the Turkish-Libyan agreement for hydrocarbon exploration with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in October.

Athens’ position, with which Egypt is also aligned, is that the term of the current Tripoli government has expired and it cannot legitimately sign international agreements that are binding for the country’s future.

Mohamed Hamuda, a spokesman from the Tripoli-based government, said Mangoush’s presence at the airport was part of diplomatic conventions.

In response, Libya on Thursday recalled its ambassador to Athens and the foreign ministry summoned the Greek chargé d’affaire in Tripoli to protest the Greek foreign minister’s decision to cancel his meeting with the head of the country’s Presidency Council.

Source: AP News.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Honorary Doctor of Business awarded to Arthur Sinodinos AO

The Hon Arthur Sinodinos AO, former Ambassador to the US and Senator for NSW, was yesterday admitted to the degree of Doctor of Business. 

Five men jailed for life over murder of Greek tourist Antonis Antoniadis in London

Five men have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Greek tourist Antonis Antoniadis, who was stabbed to death.

Hellenic spirit shines at the opening of the Odyssey Greek Festival 2025

The opening night of the 2025 Odyssey Greek Festival was a vibrant celebration of culture, memory, and community

Areti Ketime brings the spirit of rebetiko to Melbourne for the Zeibekiko Festival

The Zeibekiko Festival has returned for its third year this month with a lively Rebetika performance in Melbourne by singer Areti Ketime. 

Literary memorial in Sydney honours the legacy of esteemed scholar Dr George Kanarakis

A literary memorial in honour of Greek academic and internationally renowned linguist of Australia, Dr George Kanarakis, was held on Tuesday.

You May Also Like

Greek community of Canberra celebrates 80th anniversary of OXI Day

The Greek Orthodox Community & Church of Canberra held a special ceremony at the Greek Embassy of Australia to celebrate OXI Day.

Cleo Smith found alive by WA police

Cleo Smith has been found alive and well.

South Australian MP faces court over alleged assault of Connie Bonaros MP

SA MP Sam Duluk has appeared in court charged with basic assault of Connie Bonaros MP at a parliamentary Christmas party last year.