al-Qirbi vs. Moussa
from ADNKI
Khartoum, 28 March (AKI) – In a surprise move, the foreign minister of Yemen, Abubaker Abdullah al-Qirbi, will challenge the secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, whose mandate expires in May, at the helm of the organisation, said sources at the league’s summit starting in Khartoum on Tuesday. The reconfirmation of Moussa, an Egyptian, for another term was considered up until now a mere formality. However, sources said his re-election could be affected by the absence of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak at the summit.
The Yemeni candidate is reportedly backed by many Arab states and by the United Arab Emirates in particular, the only member state which has openly opposed Moussa’s reconfirmation.The Arab League secretary general has in the past clashed with the UAE government over the possibility of a reconciliation with Israel.
Update: Moussa re-elected.
