Revealing a Behind-the-Scenes Meeting.. Netanyahu Meets Haftar's Son in the UAE

Bethlehem - Afaq News - The Italian newspaper "Il Folio" revealed on Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Eastern Libya's commander Khalifa Haftar, during his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates.

The newspaper reported that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi arrived in the UAE about 20 minutes after Netanyahu, at a time when reports had previously mentioned meetings between Haftar and high-ranking Israeli officials. It was also claimed in 2021 that one of his planes landed at Ben Gurion Airport.

These reports come amid previous Israeli communications with Libyan parties. In 2023, then-Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen revealed his meeting with Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush, who was considered part of the anti-Haftar camp before being dismissed from her position.

Khalifa Haftar has exerted his influence over vast areas in Eastern Libya for more than a decade, amid ongoing political and military division in the country since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011.

Since 2014, Libya has been divided between competing authorities in the east and west, with the internationally recognized government based in Tripoli, in contrast to an authority in the east based in Benghazi. The competing parties have received support from various regional and international powers, including Turkey and Qatar on one side, and Egypt, the UAE, Russia, and France on the other.

Netanyahu visited the UAE on Sunday, where he met with the Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the presence of the National Security Council Chairman, the head of the Mossad, the military secretary, and the political advisor.

Netanyahu's office stated that the visit aimed to "strengthen relations between the two countries and discuss regional challenges," while the Associated Press reported that Netanyahu asked bin Zayed during the meeting to deny reports that he had been warned in advance about the October 7 attack.