Israel: contacts with Chad to resume diplomatic relations

Both Israel and Chad are making contacts aiming at a likely resumption if diplomatic relations between the two countries which were severed at the initiative of Chad in 1973, according to one Israeli diplomatic source, adding simultaneously that the resumption of relations Israel desires does not seem nearby due to the reservations showed by Chad.

The Israeli Haaretz publication said that the Israeli foreign minister, Silvan Shalom, was due to meet with the President of Chad, Idris Debi, on March 29th, but Deibi cancelled the meeting at the last moment.

Chad halted its relations with Israel after the October War of 1973 in solidarity with Egypt, in line of other 8 African countries, several of which have already restored relations with Israel. Haaretz said that despite severing relations, Israeli military consultants worked in Chad during the civil war in the 1980s.