“The quick diplomatic turnaround will likely further exacerbate already strained relations between Greece and the Tripoli administration,” comments Politico.
In the chronicle of the diplomatic episode, which led Nikos Dendias to hastily leave from Tripolireports Politico in an article headlined: “Hello, goodbye: Greek foreign minister lands in Tripoli, then leaves soon after.”
When a diplomatic visit isn’t it a diplomatic visit? When the top politician involved doesn’t even get off the plane before flying again. That’s what happened on Thursday when Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias landed in Tripoli, Libya, was told his counterpart — who has close ties to Turkey — was waiting for him and ordered the pilot to take off again.
“The quick diplomatic turnaround probably will further deteriorate the already strained relations between Greece and the administration of Tripoli” comments Politico.
Libya has been divided for years between the UN-backed Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Fayez al-Sarraj, and rebel Marshal Khalifa Khattar, an eastern strongman based in Benghazi and leader of Libyan National Army (LNA).
Turkey, Greece’s traditional enemy, has close ties to the GNA, and Ankara has supplied it with equipment and intelligence, helping prevent Haftar’s campaign from taking the capital.
Last month, Turkey signed a preliminary agreement with the government of Tripoli, Libya to explore for oil and gas off the Libyan coast — without specifying whether the exploration would take place in waters south of Greece, where Athens says Turks have no right to be.
With the Libyan Government that will emerge from the elections, Greece will start EEZ delimitation talks and I believe we will come to an end relatively quickly. But the Interim Government of 🇱🇾 has one obligation: to lead Libya to elections soon, which it is not doing. pic.twitter.com/unC9urKMf2
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) November 17, 2022
Dendias at the time accused Turkey of taking advantage of the turbulent situation in Libya to further destabilize security in the Mediterranean region and establish a regional hegemony.
On this trip, Dendias originally planned to visit only Benghazi, but the rival government in Tripoli insisted that he land. The Greek minister agreed, but on one condition, according to diplomatic officials: to meet only Mohamed al-Menfi, chairman of Libya’s Presidential Council and a former ambassador to Greece. Dendias did not want to be photographed with Naila Mangous, Tripoli’s foreign minister, who signed the investigation agreement with Turkey.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government of Libya tried to impose on me by her presence at the airport to meet with her, as a result of which I interrupted the visit to Tripoli and left for Benghazi, where I explained the 🇬🇷 positions (statement in Benghazi of 🇱🇾 ). pic.twitter.com/zgMZM3hYPw
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) November 17, 2022
That was Plan A. Dendias needed a quick Plan B when his plane landed at an otherwise quiet airport and a large crowd of photographers was waiting for him. Also wait for it…Mongoose!
“Swift as lightning, Dendias twirled his finger in the air, imitating an airplane engine and signaling to the pilot that this particular visit was over before it had even begun,” Politico eloquently reports.
The Libyans “assumed that if someone (an official) showed up, they would force a meeting,” a senior Greek official said. “No one can force us to meet anyone.”
However, to make matters even more difficult, Dendia’s plane had to wait about an hour on the runway before heading to Benghazi, as Tripoli air traffic control did not approve his flight plan.
“In a surprising situation … the Greek minister refused to get off his plane and returned to where he came from without any explanation,” the Libyan foreign ministry said. He added that he “regrets this behavior and will take appropriate diplomatic measures to preserve Libya’s sovereignty.”
When this statement was released, the Greeks were already back in Benghazi.
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have been an author at News Bulletin 247 for the past 2 years. I mostly cover politics news. I am a highly experienced and respected journalist. I have won numerous awards for my work.
