In signs of a potential thaw in relations between historic enemies, Libyan and Israeli officials have held at least two meetings in recent months, Israeli media reported today.
One involving a high-ranking Israeli diplomat took place in Europe last month and the other meeting, which took place several months ago, included an Israeli MP from the ruling coalition and Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi's son, the MP said.
Once a pariah in the West, Gaddafi has worked to remake his image in recent years, toning down his anti- Israel rhetoric and trying to build a reputation as an African statesman.
Last month, he abruptly renounced efforts to build weapons of mass destruction and opened his country's weapons production facilities to international inspection. That move was widely seen as linked to new pressures in the region following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
Israeli newspapers reported today that Ron Prosor, a senior aide to Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, met
Libyan officials in Paris on December 23. Israel TV said the meeting took place in Vienna three days later and the talks might lead to a visit to Libya by an Israeli delegation.
The Yediot Ahronot newspaper said Libya has expressed an interest in opening business and commercial contacts with Israel , without obligating itself to establishing diplomatic relations.
"It's still a very long way down the road before Israel and Libya can establish diplomatic relations," Israel 's foreign ministry said in a statement. "The Libyan leader has to demonstrate in action that he is headed toward real negotiation."
The statement said Shalom would take advantage of every opportunity to improve Israel 's relations with Arab countries and said media reports on the possible Libya contacts were "causing Israel damage" and getting in the way of that goal.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Jonathan Peled would not comment on the reports of the meeting, but said Prosor accompanied Shalom on a visit to Europe in late December.
PA