• Published 20:56 02.09.09
  • Latest update 22:33 02.09.09

Lieberman: I hope Africa will help Mideast peace process

Lieberman's visit to Africa is the first by an Israeli foreign minister to the continent in over 20 years.

By Barak Ravid Tags: Israel news Avigdor Lieberman

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday began his official state visit to Africa, the first time in over 20 years an Israeli foreign minister has visited the continent.

Lieberman landed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he held a meeting with the East African country's foreign minister before the two dined together.

Lieberman is also set to visit Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda.

After he arrived in Ethiopia, Lieberman said he believed that African states can help advance the peace process, because of their close ties with the Arab states and the Muslim world.

"It is important for the Ethiopians more than any other African country to use their positive influence to advance peace efforts in the Middle East."

Lieberman added that he hopes African states "will not take part in unilateral decisions taken against Israel."

In addition to top foreign ministry officials, Lieberman is being joined on his African trip by around 20 Israeli businessmen from the fields of energy, agriculture, shipping, irrigation, infrastructure, chemistry, media, and security. The officials will take part in an economic seminar in the country along with local Ethiopian business leaders.

Lieberman said the delegation of businessman show how serious Israel is about developing strong business and developmental ties with Ethiopia.

On Thursday Lieberman will travel to Uganda where he will meet the country's Foreign Minister and take part in a memorial service for those who fell during the Israel Defense Forces' famed hostage rescue mission Operation Entebbe in 1976. Among those killed was IDF commando officer Yoni Netanyahu, brother of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Four of the hostages were also killed.

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  • 10. 0 0
    # 6 amish
    • Axel
    • 03.09.09
    • 10:47

    "Axel, I have no idea what group of sick minded bold head you try ..." Your whole post can be reduced to "I have no idea".

  • 9. 0 0
    Seriously?!
    • harvey
    • 03.09.09
    • 09:21

    "It is important for the Ethiopians more than any other African country to use their positive influence to advance peace efforts in the Middle East." Is this man a clown, or what? When a few dozen Ethiopean children are not even welcome in Jewish schools?!

  • 8. 0 0
    Axel
    • Amish
    • 03.09.09
    • 05:36

    Axel, I have no idea what group of sick minded bold head you try to represent. Just want you think about what happened to generations of your grandparents and parents and want you to know that they did not want me, my children and my grandchildren be born they were sending my parents and grandparents (luckily they avoided this fate)to Babiy Yar, you know WELL what they were doing and you still bring flowers on their graves and telling your children that they were prevented from finishing very important job. I am not trying to change you, hah... would be funny topic, but may be other people do not understand what and who you are.

  • 7. 0 0
    translation: Since I won't help peace, will Africa do it for me?
    • binny
    • 03.09.09
    • 02:33

    If Lieberman wants peace, don't ask Africa to do it for you. YOU are the foreign minister. YOU make the peace offer to other nations!!

  • 6. 0 0
    #2 Jelmer
    • Chris Linthwaite
    • 03.09.09
    • 01:59

    The only good terrorist is a dead terrorist. Although I do try to understand the impact of the Raid on Entebbe on the thought processes of the current Prime Minister of Israel, and why he is so dead set against a peace process any peace process which leads to the establishment of a two state solution.

  • 5. 0 0
    ?? Why not just stop illegal settlements and go back
    • CJ
    • 03.09.09
    • 01:55

    to Israel's Sovereign territory. Save a lot on airfares and bullshite

  • 4. 0 0
    Oye vey, Lieberman hopes "Africa will help Mideast peace process"
    • Esther
    • 03.09.09
    • 00:20

    ... most likely that after Lieberman has managed to stamp on everyone's toes in Africa, they will never want to have dealings with us again...

  • 3. 0 0
    Hope Africa will help ME process
    • Harold
    • 02.09.09
    • 23:11

    What a jock. African nations wants Israel to go to the 1967 borders and stop occupation and building illegal settlements.

  • 2. 0 0
    To Axel #1
    • Jelmer
    • 02.09.09
    • 22:36

    Actually, those who were killed were from the W. German Baader Meinhof Group, from the PFLP, and some Ugandan soldiers guarding these terrorist hijackers. Are you mourning the Baader-Meinhof and PFLP criminals?

  • 1. 0 0
    Memorial service
    • Axel
    • 02.09.09
    • 21:39

    " take part in a memorial service for those who fell during the Israel Defense Forces' famed hostage rescue mission Operation Entebbe in 1976." Those who fell were Ugandan soldiers who were shot by Israeli commandos. What is Lieberman's role in this service? Deplore that they stood in the way of the Israelis?