Arab League elects Egyptian foreign minister as leader; Qatar candidate withdraws after switch

The 22-member Arab organization endorsed Egypt’s current foreign minister, Nabil Elaraby, to replace Amr Moussa, whose term expired and who is planning to run for president of Egypt. Moussa, 74, held the Arab League post for a decade.

The Arab League secretary-general’s post has traditionally been held by Egypt, home of the League’s headquarters. But this year, Egypt and Qatar both put candidates forward.

Egypt has struggled to keep the post, seeing it as symbolic in its bid to maintain its position as a leading Arab nation, particularly in the wake of the Jan. 25 uprising.

Egypt had nominated a member of deposed President Hosni Mubarak’s party, an unpopular choice. In an 11th hour change, it substituted Elaraby, 76, a popular diplomat who backed the uprising that ousted Mubarak’s regime. Elaraby has had an international career and has earned respect among Arab countries.

After the change was announced, Qatar withdrew its candidate, giving the job to Elaraby.

Qatar’s foreign minister, Hamad bin Jassim, said Egypt’s choice of Elaraby “encouraged” his country to withdraw its nominee, diplomat Abdul Rahman bin Hamad al-Attiyah of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

“We had an agreement in appreciation of Egypt and the (Egyptian) revolution of Jan. 25, (so) Qatar withdrew its candidate,” he told the Arab League meeting. “This is the right choice, which encouraged us to support it.”

Elaraby said he came to the meeting without a prepared speech. “It is my pleasure to have this precious trust in me from the council and be named as the League chief,” he said.

“I take on this difficult job as the Arab nations are facing many problems,” Elaraby said.

Egypt’s original candidate was Mustafa el-Fiqqi, a member of Mubarak’s ruling party who resigned after Egypt’s popular uprising began on Jan. 25. Reform activists opposed his nomination.

Scores protested outside the League headquarters against el-Fiqqi. The crowd cheered when media reported that el-Fiqqi was out as Egypt’s candidate. Continued…