Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Aboul-Gheit was voted in as the Arab League’s new Secretary-General despite strong objections from Qatar and Sudan. Voting was reportedly delayed after Qatar’s strong reservations about Aboul-Gheit’s nomination. While it is unclear why Qatar rejected Aboul-Gheit’s nomination, one diplomatic source said that Qatar objected given Aboul-Gheit is a former Mubarak-era Minister and as a result of his strong stance against Islamist movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood. Egyptian-Qatari relations have been strained since the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013. Since Egypt’s crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, many leading figures from the banned group have found refuge in countries like Qatar and Turkey. Meanwhile, according to Al-Masry Al-Youm, Sudan objected to always electing an Egyptian and recommended having the position rotate between countries. Sudan reportedly put forward its own candidate at the vote, but was quickly rebuked by other Arab countries. Aboul-Gheit, 73, worked as an Ambassador in Rome and Macedonia before heading Egypt’s permanent delegation to the United Nations in 1999. Aboul-Gheit succeeded Ahmed Maher as Foreign Minister in July 2004, ending his term in March 2011 less than a month after…
Egypt’s Aboul-Gheit Voted New Arab League Chief Despite Qatari Objection
March 11, 2016
