The 72-year-old German diplomat was serving as his country's envoy to Iran from 2009 to 2013.
He succeeds his compatriot, Per Fischer, a former Commerzbank director who presided over the mechanism since its inception.
In 1977, Erbel worked at the German embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, followed by a career in Sana'a, Riyadh, and Cairo. From July 2004 until August 2006 he was the German Ambassador in Iraq.
Erbel, who is said to have a detailed familiarity with the region, is to officially take office on August 1, 2019.
HJ/ 4681165