South African National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi was elected on Friday as the new president of Interpol during the final of the 73rd Interpol General Assembly in Cancun, Mexico, a spokesperson said.
Selebi, who was Interpol vice-president for Africa, was elected by a vote of 89 to 31 over Mexican nominee Genaro Garcia Luna, director of the Mexican Federal Agency for Investigations.
It was the first time a Latin-American country had filed a candidacy to head Interpol.
Selebi will take over from Spaniard Jesus Espigares Mira, who was at the helm of Interpol for four years. — Sapa-DPA