The Saudi secretary-general of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Eyad Madani, 70, resigned from the post citing health reasons, the organization announced in a statement. He had held the post since 2012.

According to a statement by the IOC, a former minister of social affairs, Yousuf Al Othaimeen had nominated as his replacement by the Saudi Arabia.

Saudi’s nomination of Othaimeen has been welcomed by the Egypt’s foreign ministry. It would back him in “recognition of the important role played by Saudi Arabia in support of the activities and objectives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation”.

Madani said his remarks “were only based on a sense of humour and were by no means intended to be offensive to the Egyptian leadership”, Saudi daily Arab News reported.

There are  57 member states in the OIC. It aims “to safeguard the interests of the Muslim world” and preserve Islamic social and economic values.

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Nandini