CAIRO,— Arab foreign ministers on Sunday gave unanimous backing to Egyptian diplomat Nabil Fahmy to become the next secretary general of the Arab League, Egyptian state media said.
He is expected to take over from Ahmed Aboul Gheit, whose second term ends in June 2026.
The agreement was reached during a meeting held via video link.
The Arab League charter requires at least a two thirds majority to appoint a secretary general. It does not set a nationality requirement, but Egyptians have usually held the position.
Tunisian diplomat Chedli Klibi was the only non Egyptian to serve in the role, from 1979 to 1990. The trend reflects Cairo hosting the organization’s headquarters.
Fahmy served as Egypt’s foreign minister from June 2013 until July 2014.
He also worked as Egypt’s ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2008 and to Japan from 1997 to 1999.
He is the son of Ismail Fahmy, who served as foreign minister under President Anwar Sadat from 1973 to 1977.
All Arab League Secretaries-General since its founding in 1945
| # | Name | Country | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdul Rahman Azzam | Egypt | 1945 – 1952 |
| 2 | Abdul Khalek Hassouna | Egypt | 1952 – 1972 |
| 3 | Mahmoud Riad | Egypt | 1972 – 1979 |
| 4 | Chedli Klibi | Tunisia | 1979 – 1990 |
| 5 | Ahmed Asmat Abdel-Meguid | Egypt | 1991 – 2001 |
| 6 | Amr Moussa | Egypt | 2001 – 2011 |
| 7 | Nabil Elaraby | Egypt | 2011 – 2016 |
| 8 | Ahmed Aboul Gheit | Egypt | 2016 – present |
| 9 | Nabil Fahmy (incoming) | Egypt | From July 2026 |
The Arab League has had only 8 Secretaries-General since its founding in 1945, with a 9th — Nabil Fahmy — approved to take over from July 2026.
(With files from Reuters)
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