Moushira Khattab thanks Egyptians fervently for support

CAIRO - 14 October 2017: Ambassador Moushira Khattab thanked the Egyptian people upon arrival after ranking third in the UNESCO Director-General vote on Friday. “When I first entered the competition, I did not know I would be flooded by all that love and appreciation from Egyptians,” Khattab told press Saturday.

Khattab expressed her gratitude for those who prayed for her, saying that she won people’s admiration which compensates for a position she wished to attain out of her belief in noble goals aspired by peoples worldwide.

“I am grateful to the great Egyptian state and its historic institutions led by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi. I represented the name of Egypt and we competed with honor, preserving the traditions of the ancient Egyptian state,” Khattab said.

The ambassador also thanked Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry for his sincere leadership of the campaign, investing the esteemed diplomatic traditions of Egypt, and its considerable diplomatic relations.

Khattab concluded by saying that she will continue accomplishing the mission and values of UNESCO on Egyptian soil to eliminate all kinds of discrimination, and preserve Egypt’s incomparable ancient civilization and cultural heritage.

Khattab garnered 25 votes Friday in the run-off, leaving the race after maintaining third rank over the past four rounds. UNESCO's Executive Board voted 30 to 28 in favour of Audrey Azoulay, a former French culture minister, against Qatar's Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kawari.