Interpol meets to elect replacement for arrested president

Meng Hongwei, president of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and China's vice minister of public security, went missing after returning to China from France in September. Beijing later said he was under investigation for corruption and handed Interpol his resignation letter, according toAP.

Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock confirmed that the agency received a letter on October 7 and was informed by the Chinese authorities that Mr. Meng was no longer their representative to Interpol. Stock said today that the Interpol General Assembly will elect a new president at its meeting in Dubai.

Interpol is the world's largest police cooperation agency, founded in 1923, has 192 members and is headquartered in Lyon, France. The Interpol General Assembly, made up of representatives from all countries, meets annually to make important decisions regarding policy, resources, working methods, finances and operations.

The 13-member Executive Committee, elected by the General Assembly, provides direction and guidance to the organization and oversees the implementation of the Assembly's annual decisions. Its members are top security officials from several countries, bringing years of experience and knowledge to advise.

The Executive Committee is headed by the Interpol President, who chairs the General Assembly and Executive Committee meetings, ensures the organization operates in accordance with its rules, and maintains direct and ongoing contact with the Secretary General. The Interpol President's position is largely ceremonial, while the Secretary General oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization and is the head of the organization's headquarters in France.

Interpol presidents serve four-year terms. Meng Hongwei took office in November 2016 and his term would have lasted until 2020 had he not resigned.