Chad will inaugurate an embassy in Israel on Thursday, expanding bilateral relations established five years ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, quoted by Reuters and Agerpres.

The announcement comes as the office of Chadian President Mahamat Deby said he was on a 48-hour visit to Israel.

The announcement made by N’Djamena does not provide more details on Deby’s agenda. Netanyahu’s office said the Chadian leader would be present at the embassy opening. It was not immediately clear where the embassy would be located.

Most countries maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial metropolis. Israel considers Jerusalem as its capital, but this status has not gained wider international recognition.

Israel and Chad resumed relations in 2018 after a visit to Jerusalem by the then Chadian president, Idriss Deby. The Muslim-majority country previously cut ties in protest at Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory in a 1967 war.

The visit is the first to Israel for Deby, who took over after his father’s death in 2021.

Improving relations with Chad is part of the expansion of Israel’s relations with Arab and Muslim countries promoted by Netanyahu.

Agerpres