Article 1:
Courtesy: "Aljazeera English", 15 May 2011
Egypt's foreign minister has been confirmed as the Arab League's next chief, after last minute diplomacy left him as the only candidate in the race.
Egypt changed its candidate for head of the 22-member Arab organisation at the last minute on Sunday, backing Nabil Elaraby, who was quickly elected.
He replaces Amr Moussa, a former Egyptian foreign minister, who after 10 years as the organisation's chief has resigned in order to run for the office of president in Egypt.
'Toughest assignment'
"This is the toughest assignment I will have," Elaraby said in an acceptance speech that was broadcast live on television.
Egypt's state news agency announced the change in candidate and, shortly after, Qatar's Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, a former secretary-general of the six-nation Gulf Co-operation Council, announced his withdrawal.
Egypt had fielded a career diplomat - Mostafa el-Fekki - a former member of parliament for the former president's ruling party, although he quit his post during the 18-day uprising that led to president Hosni Mubarak being pushed out of power on February 11.
Egypt then switched its candidate to Elaraby, a former judge at the International Court of Justice and previously Egypt's representative at the United Nations.
Elaraby, appointed foreign minister after Mubarak was ousted, has carved a fresh diplomatic track for Egypt since taking over the ministry.
He has been a tougher critic of Israel, more supportive of Palestinians and has offered an opening to Iran.
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Article2:
Courtesy: "Reuters", 15 May 2011
Egypt to lead Arab League amid regional turmoil
Nabil Elaraby, nominated shortly before foreign ministers confirmed his appointment, takes over from Amr Moussa, another former Egyptian foreign minister who led the 22-nation Cairo-based body for 10 years. Qatar had withdrawn its nominee.
Since the start of 2011, Egyptians and Tunisians have thrown out presidents who ruled for decades. Libya, Yemen and Syria have faced unprecedented challenges to well-established rulers and protests have unsettled other Arab monarchs and presidents.
"For Egypt to sacrifice its foreign minister is sending a message that it is keen on keeping the Arab League alive at a time when the political circumstances in the region may weaken it," said Hassan Abou Taleb of Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo.
The League has long been viewed by many Arabs as a talking shop for leaders that has failed to adequately deal with challenges besetting the region, such as the Palestinian and Israel conflict and other sources of Middle East tension.
Since the League was founded in 1945, its chief has been Egyptian except for a 10-year hiatus when Egypt was suspended from the League for its 1979 peace treaty with Israel.
"I am taking this difficult task at a time when the Arab nation is going through many problems." Elaraby said in a speech. "This is the toughest assignment I will have."
NEW DIPLOMATIC TRACK
Egypt initially fielded a career diplomat Mostafa el-Fekki, a former member of parliament for Hosni Mubarak's ruling party although he quit his post during the 18-day uprising that led to the Egyptian president being pushed from power on February 11.
But Egypt at the last minute switched its candidate to Elaraby, a former judge at the International Court of Justice and previously Egypt's representative at the United Nations.
Elaraby, appointed foreign minister after Mubarak was ousted, has carved a new diplomatic track for Egypt since becoming minister. He has been a tougher critic of Israel, more supportive of Palestinians and offered an opening to Iran.
"The Arab League is facing a major challenge. It needs restructuring, face lifting and a new spirit that should reflect the aspirations of the Arab people for more freedom," said Anissa Hassouna from the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs.
Egypt's state news agency announced the change in Cairo's candidate and then Qatar-based channel Al Jazeera reported the withdrawal of Qatar's Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, a former secretary-general of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council.
"It seemed that Qatar and Egypt were going to have to win or lose at the expense of the other and withdrawing both candidates is likely to have been a compromise," said Abou Taleb.
Moussa, known for his outspoken comments including criticism of the U.S.-led Iraq war that he said would open "the gates of hell," is running as a candidate in an election to become Egypt's next president
....................
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....................
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Courtesy: "Aljazeera English", 15 May 2011
| Egypt FM elected next Arab League chief |
Nabil Elaraby confirmed as organisation's leader after last minute diplomacy left him as the only candidate in the race. |
Egypt changed its candidate for head of the 22-member Arab organisation at the last minute on Sunday, backing Nabil Elaraby, who was quickly elected.
He replaces Amr Moussa, a former Egyptian foreign minister, who after 10 years as the organisation's chief has resigned in order to run for the office of president in Egypt.
'Toughest assignment'
"This is the toughest assignment I will have," Elaraby said in an acceptance speech that was broadcast live on television.
Egypt's state news agency announced the change in candidate and, shortly after, Qatar's Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, a former secretary-general of the six-nation Gulf Co-operation Council, announced his withdrawal.
Egypt had fielded a career diplomat - Mostafa el-Fekki - a former member of parliament for the former president's ruling party, although he quit his post during the 18-day uprising that led to president Hosni Mubarak being pushed out of power on February 11.
Egypt then switched its candidate to Elaraby, a former judge at the International Court of Justice and previously Egypt's representative at the United Nations.
Elaraby, appointed foreign minister after Mubarak was ousted, has carved a fresh diplomatic track for Egypt since taking over the ministry.
He has been a tougher critic of Israel, more supportive of Palestinians and has offered an opening to Iran.
.....................................
Article2:
Courtesy: "Reuters", 15 May 2011
Egypt to lead Arab League amid regional turmoil
CAIRO
(Reuters) - Arab states picked Egypt's foreign minister on Sunday to lead the Arab League during a period of unprecedented turmoil in the region and after last minute diplomacy left only one candidate in the race.Nabil Elaraby, nominated shortly before foreign ministers confirmed his appointment, takes over from Amr Moussa, another former Egyptian foreign minister who led the 22-nation Cairo-based body for 10 years. Qatar had withdrawn its nominee.
Since the start of 2011, Egyptians and Tunisians have thrown out presidents who ruled for decades. Libya, Yemen and Syria have faced unprecedented challenges to well-established rulers and protests have unsettled other Arab monarchs and presidents.
"For Egypt to sacrifice its foreign minister is sending a message that it is keen on keeping the Arab League alive at a time when the political circumstances in the region may weaken it," said Hassan Abou Taleb of Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo.
The League has long been viewed by many Arabs as a talking shop for leaders that has failed to adequately deal with challenges besetting the region, such as the Palestinian and Israel conflict and other sources of Middle East tension.
Since the League was founded in 1945, its chief has been Egyptian except for a 10-year hiatus when Egypt was suspended from the League for its 1979 peace treaty with Israel.
"I am taking this difficult task at a time when the Arab nation is going through many problems." Elaraby said in a speech. "This is the toughest assignment I will have."
NEW DIPLOMATIC TRACK
Egypt initially fielded a career diplomat Mostafa el-Fekki, a former member of parliament for Hosni Mubarak's ruling party although he quit his post during the 18-day uprising that led to the Egyptian president being pushed from power on February 11.
But Egypt at the last minute switched its candidate to Elaraby, a former judge at the International Court of Justice and previously Egypt's representative at the United Nations.
Elaraby, appointed foreign minister after Mubarak was ousted, has carved a new diplomatic track for Egypt since becoming minister. He has been a tougher critic of Israel, more supportive of Palestinians and offered an opening to Iran.
"The Arab League is facing a major challenge. It needs restructuring, face lifting and a new spirit that should reflect the aspirations of the Arab people for more freedom," said Anissa Hassouna from the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs.
Egypt's state news agency announced the change in Cairo's candidate and then Qatar-based channel Al Jazeera reported the withdrawal of Qatar's Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, a former secretary-general of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council.
"It seemed that Qatar and Egypt were going to have to win or lose at the expense of the other and withdrawing both candidates is likely to have been a compromise," said Abou Taleb.
Moussa, known for his outspoken comments including criticism of the U.S.-led Iraq war that he said would open "the gates of hell," is running as a candidate in an election to become Egypt's next president
....................
Note: The viewpoint expressed in this article is solely that of the writer / news outlet. "FATA Awareness Initiative" Team may not agree with the opinion presented.
....................
We Hope You find the info useful. Keep visiting this blog and remember to leave your feedback / comments / suggestions / requests / corrections.
With Regards,
"FATA Awareness Initiative" Team.
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