The Council of the League of Arab States, meeting at ministerial level in Amman on Monday, approved the appointment of Nabil Fahmy as the organisation’s new secretary-general. His five-year term begins on 1 July, replacing Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who has led the secretariat for two consecutive terms. The decision, taken on the instruction of Arab heads of state, was confirmed in a League statement.

The Council expressed confidence in Fahmy’s diplomatic experience and his ability to strengthen joint Arab action and address current challenges. It also paid tribute to Aboul Gheit, commending his “sincere efforts”, “wisdom” and “competence” in defending central Arab causes, particularly the Palestinian cause, and preserving the League’s coordinating role during what it described as unprecedented regional and international challenges. Algeria’s foreign minister, Ahmed Attaf, who attended the session, publicly echoed these sentiments.

Fahmy, 75, who served as Egypt’s foreign minister from June 2013 to July 2014, becomes the eighth Egyptian national to hold the post since the League’s founding in 1945. The only non-Egyptian secretary-general was Tunisia’s Chedli Klibi in the 1980s, when Egypt’s membership was suspended over its peace treaty with Israel. In remarks reported by Malaysian and Russian media, Fahmy described the appointment as a “big responsibility”, citing “blatant violations of international law” and prolonged occupation of Arab lands, without naming specific states. His comments align with the League’s longstanding positions on regional conflicts.

The transition occurs as the League navigates multiple crises. In March 2026, the foreign ministers held an extraordinary session to discuss what they termed “Iranian aggression against Arab countries”. The organisation has also been involved in discussions on Syria’s return to the League and a technocratic committee plan for Gaza’s reconstruction. Beyond the region, the League maintains observer status at the UN and has pursued closer ties with Russia through a bilateral cooperation forum; Moscow had planned to host a League summit in autumn 2025. The secretariat, based in Cairo, will now prepare for the handover on 1 July.