GCC secretary-general's term will not be renewed, Kuwait studying alternatives: reports

Kuwait is currently looking to fill the position of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) secretary general after Nayef Al-Hajraf was informed that his three-year term will not be renewed, local media reported Thursday.

Al-Hajraf's term is scheduled to end at the beginning of February next year, but he was informed of the decision by Kuwait's foreign minister during a meeting of Gulf foreign ministers on Wednesday, Kuwait's Al-Qabas newspaper reported.

مصدر حكومي لـ القبس: أمين عام مجلس التعاون #نايف_الحجرف لم يُجدد له

• لانتهاء مدته في شهر فبراير المقبل.. و #الكويت سترفع مرشحاً بديلاً

• أبلغه «وزير الخارجية» بالقرار خلال اجتماع وزراء الخارجية الخليجيين أمسhttps://t.co/cPJu53IBfD

— القبس (@alqabas) December 8, 2022

Kuwait, which retains the position, is looking for an alternative candidate, the newspaper added.

It is not yet clear why the decision was taken.

The New Arab reached out to the Kuwaiti Embassy in London for comment, but could not verify these reports.

The council will release a statement explaining the reasons behind Al-Hajraf’s dismissal on Friday, according to Saudi newspaper Okaz.

Al-Hajraf has been secretary-general of the Saudi-based GCC since 1 February 2020. He previously held the positions of education minister and finance minister in Kuwait.