Arab foreign ministers have selected veteran Egyptian diplomat Nabil Fahmy as the new secretary-general of the 22-member Arab League. The decision occurred during a virtual meeting on Sunday, as the Middle East grapples with an escalating conflict involving Iran that has persisted for over a month.

Appointment Amid Regional Tensions

Fahmy’s five-year term begins in July, replacing Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who has led the organization since 2016. Officials confirmed the appointment through the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. The move comes as Iran’s Arab neighbors recover from strikes by Iran and its proxies, triggered by extensive U.S. and Israeli airstrikes launched since February 28.

Traditional Protocol and Historical Precedent

Fahmy stood as the sole nominee, adhering to a longstanding tradition where Egypt, as the host nation, nominates the secretary-general since the Arab League’s founding in 1945. The only exception arose in 1979, when Tunisian diplomat al-Shazly al-Qalibi took the role after Egypt’s membership suspension due to its peace treaty with Israel. Egypt rejoined in 1989, returning the headquarters to Cairo and appointing a new Egyptian leader in 1990.

Fahmy’s Distinguished Career

At 75, Fahmy previously served as Egypt’s foreign minister from July 2013 to June 2014, a period marked by political upheaval following the military ouster of an elected Islamist president. He also represented Egypt as ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2008. Fahmy founded the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the American University in Cairo and now holds the position of dean emeritus there.

He is the son of Ismail Fahmy, Egypt’s foreign minister from 1973 to 1977, who resigned in protest against President Anwar Sadat’s landmark visit to Jerusalem, which led to Egypt becoming the first Arab nation to normalize ties with Israel.