Nabil Fahmy officially assumed office as Secretary-General of the Arab League, taking over from Ahmed Aboul Gheit during a formal handover ceremony held at the organization's headquarters in Cairo.

According to a statement issued by the Arab League, the ceremony was attended by assistant secretaries-general and senior officials. Following the handover, Fahmy received a comprehensive briefing on the organization's political agenda and the latest regional developments.

He later met with assistant secretaries-general to discuss the Arab League's priorities and its working agenda for the coming period.

Fahmy also sent letters to the leaders of Arab countries thanking them for the confidence they placed in him. In separate messages addressed to the foreign ministers of member states, he outlined his vision for strengthening joint Arab action, accelerating institutional reform within the Arab League and enhancing economic and social cooperation among member countries.

The new secretary-general assumes office at a time when the region continues to face major challenges, including the ongoing situation in Gaza, conflicts in Sudan and other regional crises, placing renewed focus on the Arab League's diplomatic role.

A former Egyptian foreign minister and former ambassador to the United States, Fahmy became the ninth Secretary-General of the Arab League since the organization was founded in 1945. He is also the eighth Egyptian to hold the post.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit had served as secretary-general since 2016, before handing over the position to Fahmy.

The Arab League Council elected Fahmy to a five-year term during its meeting on June 22.(ILKHA)