Egypt officially nominates Ahmed Aboul-Gheit to head Arab League

Egypt has officially nominated its former foreign minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheit as chair of the Arab League, state news agency MENA reported on Monday.

Foreign ministers from the 22 countries constituting the league will vote on Aboul-Gheit’s appointment on Thursday at a Cairo summit.

No other country has nominated a secretary-general, with Egyptians traditionally voted to head the league.

Aboul-Gheit, 73, served as foreign minister from July 2004 until March 2011 following the overthrow of president Hosni Mubarak.

The nomination comes following current Secretary-General Nabil El-Arabi’s announcement that he would not pursue a second term.

El-Araby, 80, took over as league chief from fellow Egyptian diplomat Amr Moussa in 2011.

El-Arabi’s term will end on 30 June.

source: Ahram Online