CAIRO, Nov 1 (Aswat Masriya) - Egypt’s Foreign Ministry endorsed Youssef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen for the position of the secretary general for Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in a statement on Monday, after his predecessor Iyad Madani, resigned from his position for “health reasons.”

“Egypt recognises the important role of Saudi Arabia in supporting OIC’s work,” the Foreign Ministry statement read. “It is also looking forward to resuming its cooperation with the organisation and its new secretary general.”

Madani’s resignation came amid widespread criticism after he mocked President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in statements last week. Madani had confused the name of Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi with that of Egypt's President Sisi at a conference hosted by Tunisia last week.

"This is a big mistake. I'm sure your fridge has more than water, Mr. president," Madani told Essebsi, referring to a statement made by Sisi few days earlier.

Sisi had said during the closing ceremony of the youth conference in Sharm El-Sheikh on Thursday that his fridge “did not have anything but water for 10 years, and no one heard my voice,” urging Egyptians to remain steadfast in the face of mounting economic woes.

Madani’s sarcastic words triggered negative official responses. Egypt’s foreign ministry denounced the statement, urging the OIC to explain the situation and apologise.

On Sunday, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reiterated his condemnation of Madani’s statements during a parliamentary session, saying that his comments are "unacceptable," and a "gross mistake.”

He added that Egypt's leadership and people awaits clear actions from the Arab Organisation for Education and Culture against this "encroachment", while pointing out that the ministry has submitted a formal protest against Madani's statements.