Arab Foreign Ministers on Sunday unanimously nominated Egypt’s former foreign minister, Nabil Fahmy as Secretary-General of the Arab League, taking over from Ahmed Aboul Gheit, whose second term in office ends in June.

Nomination Decision

Egyptian state media outlets which reported Fahmy’s nomination said the decision was reached during a virtual conference of the foreign ministers.

Appointment Process and Tradition

Under the Arab League charter, the Secretary-General is appointed by at least a two-thirds majority.

While the charter does not stipulate a specific nationality to hold the post, it has traditionally been held by an Egyptian, except for Tunisian Chedli Klibi, who held the position from 1979 to 1990, reflecting Cairo’s influential role as host of the organisation’s headquarters.

Fahmy’s Diplomatic Career

Fahmy, Egyptian foreign minister from June 2013 to July 2014, had also served as Egypt’s ambassador to Japan between 1997 and 1999 and the U.S. from 1999 to 2008.

He is the son of Ismail Fahmy, Egypt’s foreign minister under President Anwar Sadat from 1973 to 1977 when he resigned in opposition to Sadat’s visit to Jerusalem.

About the Arab League

The Arab League, founded in 1945, brings together 22 member states to coordinate political, economic, and cultural policies across the region.