Israel/Kenya - Tour

Israel's Avigdor Lieberman in Africa

Article published on the 2009-09-02 Latest update 2009-09-03 09:04 TU

Israel Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
(Photo: Reuters)

The Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman began a tour of Africa on Tuesday that will take in five countries. He says he hopes to improve Israel’s stance in the eyes of the international community with the eight-day visit.

Lieberman will visit Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda with a delegation of around 20 ministers.

Lieberman, a leader of the ruling ultra-right party Yisrael Beitenu in Israel, visited south America in July 2008.

The visit to Africa comes only days after Libyan leader Muammar Kadhafi blamed Israel for most of Africa’s conflicts.

The Kenyan government will not change its attitude to Israel, says correspondent Kwendo Opanga.

“Remember in 1976 when there was the French Airbus that was hijacked and stowed on the tarmac of [Uganda's] Ntebbe airport for a long time? The Israeli jet that staged the rescue refuelled in Nairobi.

"That shows the kind of relationship there that has existed for quite a bit of time.”

Talking about Kadhafi’s statements, Opanga says that African leaders are likely to step back and attempt to understand them rather than react.

“Previously Kadhafi has been a very controversial figure on the African continent," he says. 

"He is a leader who is reinventing himself, who is undergoing some kind of metamorphosis. Previously, especially here in Kenya, Kadhafi was seen as a leader who wanted to foment trouble for the existing government.

“I believe most governments in Africa would want to keep Kadhafi at a distance. Look at him, try and understand what he’s saying but remain very cautious.”