In a recent interview, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Egypt's former Foreign Minister and Arab League Secretary-General, shared the story of his unexpected appointment to the top diplomatic post. Aboul Gheit joined the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in 1965 with boundless ambition to excel in diplomatic service. He pursued his goal through hard work, dedication, and acquiring extensive knowledge.
Aboul Gheit revealed that during his tenure as Egypt's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 2004, he considered himself at the pinnacle of his career at 62 years old. At that time, he had begun contemplating a tranquil life, writing articles every 15 days about his life experiences. His vast reservoir of knowledge and life experiences encouraged him to take this step.
Reflecting on his early days in the Foreign Ministry, Aboul Gheit emphasized the importance of self-development and personality building to achieve one's objectives. He mentioned that the position of Foreign Minister is highly coveted, and those aspiring to it must work diligently to become the Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations.
Aboul Gheit recounted that he was informed about his appointment as Foreign Minister by Ambassador Maged Abdel Fattah, Secretary to President Hosni Mubarak for Information. There were earlier indications from various individuals and entities about a potential change in the Foreign Minister position, with his name being considered for the role.
The former Foreign Minister shared that he was surprised by the news of his appointment while watching the news broadcast. Ambassador Maged Abdel Fattah contacted him to inform him about the new position. Upon learning the news, Aboul Gheit's wife was initially skeptical, but he told her that it would be unthinkable to decline a request from President Mubarak.
Aboul Gheit's entry into the diplomatic service was marked by his posting to the Egyptian Embassy in 1965. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Egypt's ambassador to the United Nations. His experiences and accomplishments during his tenure have equipped him with valuable insights into Egypt's foreign policy and diplomacy.
Throughout his illustrious career, Aboul Gheit has held various distinguished positions, including serving as Arab League Secretary-General. His reflections on his appointment as Foreign Minister provide a glimpse into the inner workings of Egypt's diplomatic establishment and the qualities required to excel in this field.
Key points
- Ahmed Aboul Gheit was appointed as Egypt's Foreign Minister in 2004.
- Aboul Gheit had considered retiring from active life and writing articles about his experiences before his appointment as Foreign Minister.
- The former Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of hard work and self-development in achieving success in diplomatic service.
