JEDDAH: The elected secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Wednesday assumed office, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Hissein Brahim Taha was elected last November during the 47th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Niamey, Niger.

His OIC term lasts for five years.

Taha is a Chadian diplomat who has held several positions in his country, including minister of foreign affairs, African integration, and international cooperation, diplomatic adviser to the presidency of Niger, minister plenipotentiary, and ambassador extraordinary to France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and the Holy See.

He has also been a senior adviser at the embassy of Chad in Saudi Arabia.

The new OIC chief, who speaks French, Arabic, and English, has been awarded the National Order of Chad, the French National Order of the Legion of Honor, and the honorary ambassador merit.