Arab League appoints Egypt’s Nabil Fahmy secretary-general

Arab foreign ministers appointed veteran Egyptian diplomat Nabil Fahmy as secretary-general of the Arab League on Monday for a five-year term beginning 1 July, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said.

Fahmy’s appointment was unanimously approved during the resumed 165th ordinary session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level in Amman, the ministry said.

The foreign ministry said Fahmy’s appointment reflected recognition of Egypt’s role in Arab affairs and the confidence Arab states place in his diplomatic experience and long career supporting joint Arab action at the regional and international levels.

“Egypt wishes him success in his new role in a way that strengthens joint Arab action, enhances coordination and cooperation among Arab states, and supports regional stability and development,” the ministry said.

Fahmy, a career diplomat from 1976 to 2011, served as Egypt’s foreign minister from 2013 to 2014 and previously held ambassadorial posts in Japan (1997-1999) and the United States (1999-2008). He also served as chair of the UN advisory board on disarmament matters and vice-chair of the UN General Assembly’s First Committee on disarmament and international security, before later founding the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) at the American University in Cairo in 2009.

Egypt said it expected Fahmy’s tenure to strengthen coordination among Arab states and support joint Arab action amid heightened regional tensions.

Egypt also thanked outgoing Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit for his efforts during his tenure. Aboul Gheit, also a former Egyptian foreign minister, has led the Arab League since 2016.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English