PM Benjamin Netanyahu with Chadian President Idriss Déby, Sunday | Photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds private meeting with Chadian President Idriss Déby • Chad’s defense and internal security ministers tell Israel Hayom that Chad intends to sign document officially reinstating diplomatic relations with Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Chad for the first visit by an Israeli prime minister to the Muslim African nation since bilateral ties were severed in 1972.
Netanyahu arrived on Sunday and held a private meeting with Chadian President Idriss Déby on Sunday. Two of Déby’s ministers told Israel Hayom that they were very happy about Netanyahu’s visit. The officials said Chad intended to sign an official document establishing ties with Israel, despite a disagreement over one of its articles.
Recently, Israel and the Muslim-majority African country have bolstered bilateral ties.
In late November, Chadian President Idriss Déby became the country’s first leader to make an official visit to Israel since the state’s founding. During his historic visit, Déby announced Chad would move to renew bilateral ties with Israel, which were severed in 1972.
Also during his visit, Déby said his country, an Arab League member, could assist in helping Israel renew diplomatic ties with Sudan.
Déby noted that “the world is changing before our eyes. Crises and wars we knew are changing as well. We don’t wish them on today’s generation or future generations. There’s a time for war and a time for peace. Our message is global to all leaders. Chad doesn’t presume to speak for black Africa. Chad comes to renew bilateral diplomatic relations. He said that “if Chad can be a facilitator, Chad will not hesitate.”
Source: Israel Hayom