Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy will assume office as Secretary-General of the Arab League on July 1, succeeding Ahmed Aboul Gheit, whose term expires on June 30. The 165th regular session of the Council of Arab Foreign Ministers, held virtually in March, unanimously approved a resolution recommending that the upcoming 35th Arab Summit in Saudi Arabia endorse Fahmy’s nomination for a five-year term beginning July 1. Arab diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the incoming Secretary-General has already begun preparations for taking up his post. The sources said Fahmy recently visited the Arab League headquarters in Cairo and held meetings to familiarize himself with the organization’s staff. He has also met with several permanent representatives to the Arab League to discuss ways to strengthen the organization’s role in advancing joint Arab action. He outlined his vision for the League and proposals for developing mechanisms of Arab cooperation. Earlier this month, Fahmy met in Cairo with Ambassador Muhannad Al-Aklouk, the Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the Arab League. According to a statement by the Palestinian delegation, discussions focused on enhancing the Arab League’s effectiveness in defending the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people, including implementation of resolutions adopted by the organization. The talks addressed strengthening Arab national security, developing mechanisms for joint Arab action within the framework of the Arab League, and boosting the organization’s regional and international role, particularly in light of the challenges facing the Arab world. One source said Fahmy remains on course to be formally confirmed as Secretary-General through ratification by Arab leaders of the foreign ministers’ decision, regardless of whether the Arab summit is held on schedule or postponed. “In light of the difficulties surrounding the convening of a summit-level meeting of Arab leaders, ongoing consultations could lead to ratification of Fahmy’s appointment through a virtual meeting,” the source told Asharq Al-Awsat. Another Arab diplomatic source said time constraints have complicated preparations for holding the summit before the incoming Secretary-General officially assumes office. The source added that “the situation may become clearer after the Eid al-Adha holiday, especially as regional tensions persist and no final agreement has yet been reached between the United States and Iran.” A third source pointed to “the possibility of Fahmy assuming office on the basis of a decision by Arab foreign ministers, in line with previous precedents.” Aboul Gheit himself was appointed by a decision of the Council of Arab Foreign Ministers during an extraordinary session held at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo in March 2016. The appointment was based on authorization granted by Arab leaders to the heads of delegations attending the meeting. He assumed office in July of the same year without the need for an Arab summit to ratify his appointment. Nabil Fahmy served as Egypt’s foreign minister from June 2013 to July 2014. He served as Egypt’s ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2008 and ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 1999. His father, Ismail Fahmy, served as Egypt’s foreign minister under the late President Anwar Sadat from 1973 to 1977.
