Israeli Pm Visits Chad To Restore Relations

By Osama al-Ghasani





Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu headed to Chad on Sunday for talks aimed at restoring diplomatic relations between Tel Aviv and N'Djamena.





"I am now leaving on another historic and important breakthrough, to Chad, a huge Muslim country bordering Libya and Sudan," The Times of Israel newspaper "ed Netanyahu as saying in statements ahead of travelling to Chad.





"There will be big news," Netanyahu said, hinting at the formal resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.





Chad severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 1972.





Netanyahu described his visit to Chad as "part of the revolution we are doing in the Arab and Muslim world".





The Israeli premier claimed that Iran and the Palestinians have attempted to "prevent Israel's diplomatic push".





"It greatly worries, even greatly angers [them]," he said.





The resumption of bilateral ties between Chad and Israel is expected to be announced in a joint press conference between Netanyahu and Chadian President Idriss Deby.





Israeli Channel 10 reported Saturday night that Netanyahu is expected to offer his government's support for Deby to prevent militants' infiltration to Chad coming from Libya.





Netanyahu's delegation to Chad includes senior officials from the defense and finance ministries, in an indication of his target to boost military and trade ties with Chad.





The Chadian President had made a rare visit to Israel in November. -