Belkziz takes over as OIC secretary general

Moroccan national, Abdelouahed Belkziz, will officially take over next week his position as the new secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Conference, in replace of Azeddine Laraki, another Moroccan.

Belkziz was unanimously elected last June 27-30 in Kuala Lumpur during the 27th session of the OIC foreign ministers.

Born in 1935 in Marrakesh, the new OIC secretary general served as information minister, foreign minister and ambassador in Iraq. He also worked as rector of the Mohammed V university in Rabat, of the Ibn Toufail university in Kenitra and dean of the law college of Rabat.

The Jeddah-based organization was set up by a decision of heads of state of Islamic countries following the criminal arson of the Al-Aqsa mosque in Al-Quds. Its charters sets as a goal promotion of solidarity, political, economic, social, cultural and scientific cooperation between member countries and supporting the struggle of Islamic countries for freedom and independence.