Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi speaks during a joint press conference with his
German counterpart Guido Weseterwelle after a meeting in Cairo. (Getty photo)
German counterpart Guido Weseterwelle after a meeting in Cairo. (Getty photo)
Foreign Minister Nabil Al Arabi of Egypt was elected as the new secretary general of the Arab League on Sunday after last minute diplomacy left him as the only candidate in the race.
Shortly before the vote, Egypt replaced its original candidate Mustafa el-Fiqqi, who was a member of ousted president Hosni Mubarak’s ruling party.
Qatar had nominated Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad al-Attiyah, who served as the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council. With both Mr. Fiqqi and Mr. Attiyah lacking consensus, their candidacies were withdrawn and the 76-year-old Mr. Arabi was nominated as a sole runner for the post.
The choice for head of the Arab League traditionally is agreed in advance, but this year, Egypt and Qatar both nominated candidates.
Mr. Elaraby, nominated shortly before foreign ministers were due to meet in Cairo on Sunday, will take over from Amr Moussa, another former Egyptian foreign minister who led the 22-nation Cairo-based body for 10 years. Mr. Moussa is expected to contest the Egyptian presidential election in September.
