DUBAI, July 26 (Reuters) - HSBC Middle East HSBA.L said on Tuesday it had appointed Georges Elhedery as its chief executive for the Middle East and North Africa region with immediate effect.

Elhedery, who joined the bank in 2005 and was previously head of global banking and markets in the MENA region, will also join the board of HSBC Bank Middle East as deputy chairman, the bank said in a statement.

Elhedery's appointment is subject to regulatory approvals, it added.

He replaces Mohammad al-Tuwaijri, who in May joined the Saudi Arabian government as deputy minister of economy and planning. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL5N1840DL

The bank is expected to announce an appointment for the head of global banking and markets in the MENA region at a later date.

(Reporting by Tom Arnold; Editing by David French) ((Tom.Arnold@thomsonreuters.com; +97144536265; Reuters Messaging: tom.arnold.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))