The UN culture agency’s executive board on Monday voted to appoint a former Egyptian minister as the agency’s next chief, the board’s chair said, as UNESCO grapples with accusations of bias and the United States’ withdrawal from the organisation.

UNESCO’s board backed former Egyptian antiquities and tourism minister Khaled el-Enany to replace outgoing French director-general Audrey Azoulay, after she served two four-year terms in office.

The organisation’s general assembly must now ratify the 54-year-old Egyptologist’s appointment during its meeting in Uzbekistan on November 6.

The body has never gone against a recommendation by the executive board, which is made up of 58 out of 194 member states.

Enany won 55 of the 57 votes cast, said the board’s chair, Vera Lacoeuilhe.

The United S

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