The Rt Revd Ghais Malik, Bishop of Egypt and North Africa, has been elected the new President Bishop of the Episcopal Church in of Jerusalem and the Middle East. He succeeds the Most Revd Samir Kafity who is retiring. The election was made on 25th November at a Central Synod of the Province in Cyprus.

Bishop Abdel Malik becomes the third President Bishop and Primate of the Province since its inauguration in 1976. Bishop Malik was consecrated to be Bishop in Egypt and North Africa in 1984. In accordance with the Constitution, the President Bishop may serve a maximum of two five year terms of office.

The Synod also elected the Rt Revd Riah Abu El Assal the Bishop Coadjutor, Jerusalem and Provincial Secretary and the Rt Revd Clive Handford (Cyprus and the Gulf) as Treasurer of Synod. The newly elected President Bishop and Officers were formally installed at the closing Eucharist of the Central Synod on 26 November 1996.

The Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East comprises the four dioceses of Jerusalem, Iran, Egypt and North Africa, and Cyprus and the Gulf.