Photo courtesy of the Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency
The meetings came as Aboul Gheit’s term at the helm of the Arab League nears its end and Egypt backs Fahmy’s nomination for the post of secretary-general.
During his meeting with Aboul Gheit, President El-Sisi expressed his deep appreciation for the role he played during his tenure, praising his efforts to strengthen joint Arab action and improve the work of the League’s General Secretariat, El-Shennawy said.
El-Sisi also reaffirmed Egypt’s firm support for the Arab League as the primary umbrella for defending Arab interests and enhancing cooperation among member states to meet the aspirations of Arab peoples for prosperity and development.
For his part, Aboul Gheit expressed gratitude to the president for his continued support for the Arab League and his commitment to safeguarding Arab national security and protecting Arab interests, the spokesman added.
Aboul Gheit also praised Egypt’s longstanding support for the league’s role as a central platform for strengthening Arab relations and advancing shared interests. He said he was proud to have worked closely with El-Sisi and Arab leaders during a period that witnessed unprecedented challenges to Arab national security.
In a separate meeting, El-Sisi affirmed Egypt’s full support for Fahmy’s candidacy, stressing that the region is facing unprecedented challenges that require strengthening joint Arab action and activating the role of the Arab League as the main umbrella and collective framework for defending the interests of Arab states and peoples, El-Shennawy said.
Fahmy expressed appreciation for El-Sisi’s support, saying he looked forward to developing the league’s performance and formulating an advanced and effective strategic vision that matches the scale of the challenges facing Arab national security.
He also stressed the importance of enhancing the league’s role in the economic and social fields to help it fulfil its desired role.
President El-Sisi also emphasized Egypt’s commitment to constructive efforts that support peaceful solutions to regional crises.
The president noted the growing number of conflict hotspots and increasing violations of international law, warning that these developments have serious consequences for Arab national security in its broader sense and increase the responsibilities of the Arab League.
He also stressed the need for the league to develop its tools to respond to regional transformations and formulate more effective and comprehensive Arab positions, the spokesman said.
Aboul Gheit, a former Egyptian foreign minister, has led the Arab League since 2016 and is due to be succeeded by veteran Egyptian diplomat Nabil Fahmy, whose five-year term is set to begin on 1 July 2026.
Arab foreign ministers unanimously backed Egypt’s nomination of Fahmy in March, reflecting the longstanding tradition of Egypt nominating the head of the Cairo-based organization.
The leadership transition comes as the Arab League faces a particularly volatile regional landscape, including the war in Gaza, tensions in Lebanon, the conflict in Sudan, instability in Libya, Red Sea security concerns, and the consequences of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Aboul Gheit has recently welcomed the announced US-Iran memorandum of understanding while urging respect for Arab sovereignty. He had earlier condemned attacks targeting Arab states as a threat to regional security.
Founded in Cairo in 1945, the League of Arab States brings together 22 Arab countries and is mandated to strengthen relations between member states, coordinate policies, and safeguard their independence and sovereignty. Its headquarters in Cairo has long reflected Egypt’s central role in Arab diplomacy and joint Arab action.
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