Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, officially bid farewell to his position during a speech at the resumed regular session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level. He concluded a decade-long tenure at the helm of the regional organization, having taken the position in 2016.
In a speech that combined political assessment with farewell messages, Aboul Gheit expressed his honor in serving the Arab nation from the Arab League's secretariat. He emphasized that the Arab League remains the unifying framework for Arab states and the central platform for joint Arab action.
The Secretary-General painted a concerning picture of the region's reality, stating that the Arab world continues to face significant challenges and interlinked crises. Many Arab countries are still affected by the repercussions of internal conflicts, regional interventions, and security challenges experienced over the past decade.
Addressing the Palestinian issue, Aboul Gheit reiterated its centrality to Arabs, criticizing Israeli policies and affirming that the two-state solution remains the only option for achieving peace and stability. He also warned against attempts to displace Palestinians and undermine their national rights.
He called for the initiation of a comprehensive Arab dialogue on the concept and priorities of Arab national security, highlighting the importance of enhancing coordination and cooperation among Arab states to confront common challenges and protect the region's stability.
Concluding his address, he thanked Arab leaders, foreign ministers, and secretariat staff, expressing confidence in the Arab League's ability to continue its role in the forthcoming phase, and wished success for his successor in leading joint Arab efforts.
Aboul Gheit is the eighth Secretary-General of the Arab League since its establishment in 1945. He assumed office during a period marked by successive regional crises and complex political and security developments in several Arab countries, in addition to ongoing challenges related to the Palestinian cause and regional security.