President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Saturday thanked Saudi Arabia for its support for Egypt’s candidate in the UNESCO election to select a director general of the Paris-based organization.

"President Sisi expressed, in a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman, his appreciation for the kingdom’s honorable stances to serve the Arab issues," Saudi Press Agency reported.

Egypt's candidate Moushira Khattab lost to her French rival Audrey Azoulay in a run-off vote on Friday.

Later in the day, Azoulay was elected the UNESCO director general in the fifth and final round in which she competed with the Qatari candidate.

Source: MENA