Egypt and the Arab League

Despite the fact that the call for Arab unity had been raised for several centuries, the idea of establishing a unified Arab organization that would bring together Arab countries did not crystallize until World War II due to a range of Arab, regional, and international factors.

At the Arab level, the Arab reality was the cornerstone of this historical development. On the one hand, the war was an opportunity for the growth of nationalist movements and resistance against colonialism, which resulted in the independence of an increasing number of Arab countries and created the need to establish a balance of power. On the other hand, the need for unity was reinforced by the awareness of the dangers posed by the Zionist movement and the convergence of Jewish immigration to Palestine, which was assigned to Britain to fulfill the dream of a Jewish state. Thirdly, the increasing interaction with the West as a result of educational missions led to openness to some political ideas and movements, including nationalism. Fourthly, there seemed to be a reasonable degree of trade exchange and movement of people, especially between the Arab Levant countries, which appeared to provide the material basis for unity in addition to the initial spiritual and cultural basis.

At the international level, World War II marked a transitional stage in the development of the international system. With regard to Britain specifically, it is important to clarify in analyzing its position on the establishment of the Arab League that its role was complementary or supportive, and not a founding or initiating role, because there was no country, no matter how much political dominance it had in a certain historical era, capable of breathing life into an idea out of nothing.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa El Nahas took the initiative and invited both Syrian Prime Minister Jamil Mardam and Lebanese National Bloc leader Bishara al-Khoury to discuss the idea of establishing an Arab League in Cairo to strengthen Arab ties between participating countries. This was the first time the idea of an Arab League was raised so clearly, and the Egyptian government reiterated its readiness to seek the opinions of Arab governments on the topic of unity and to hold a conference to discuss it, an idea praised by the then-Jordanian ruler Prince Abdullah. As a result, a series of bilateral consultations began between Egypt and representatives from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Yemen.

When a preparatory committee of representatives from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and Yemen (as an observer) met from September 25th to October 7th, 1944, the prevailing trend was towards the unity of independent Arab countries that did not infringe on their independence and sovereignty. The committee also agreed on the name "Arab League" for the organization that would embody this unity, preferring it over the names "Alliance" and "Union," as the former implies a temporary relationship, and the latter suggests a relationship that requires agreed-upon tasks to be transferred to the emerging Arab organization.

As a result, the Alexandria Protocol was reached, which became the first document related to the Arab League and which stated the following principles:

Establishment of the Arab League from independent Arab states that accept membership, with a council that represents the participating states on an equal footing.

The task of the League's Council is to ensure the implementation of agreements concluded between the member states, hold regular meetings to strengthen relations between them, coordinate their political plans, promote cooperation between them, and protect their independence and sovereignty from any possible political aggression, as well as to consider general Arab affairs.

The Council's decisions are binding on those who accept them, except in cases where there is a dispute between two member states that resort to the Council to resolve the conflict. In these cases, the Council's decisions are binding and effective.

The use of force to settle disputes between two member states of the League is not permissible, nor is the adoption of a foreign policy that harms the League's policy or any of its member states.

Each member state of the League has the right to conclude special agreements with another member state of the League or other states that do not conflict with the provisions and spirit of these rules.

Finally, the Protocol recognized the sovereignty and independence of the organizing states within the League's existing borders. The Protocol also included a special decision to respect the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon, and another decision to consider Palestine an important part of the Arab countries and the Arabs' rights in it cannot be compromised without harming peace and independence in the Arab world. Arab countries must support the cause of Arab Palestine by working to achieve their legitimate aspirations and preserve their just rights.

Finally, the Protocol stated that "an immediate sub-political committee of the aforementioned preparatory committee members will be formed to prepare a draft of the League's Council system and to discuss political issues that can be the subject of agreements between Arab countries."

On October 7, 1944, the heads of the participating delegations in the preparatory committee signed the Alexandria Protocol, except for Saudi Arabia and Yemen, which signed it on January 3, 1945, and February 5 of the same year, respectively, after it was presented to King Abdulaziz Al Saud and Imam Yahya Hamid.

This protocol represented the main document on which the Charter of the League of Arab States was based. It was prepared by the political sub-committee recommended by the Alexandria Protocol and the delegates of the Arab countries who signed the Alexandria Protocol, in addition to the general delegate of each of Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and the delegate of the Palestinian parties attended as an observer. After sixteen meetings held by the aforementioned parties at the headquarters of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs between February 17 and March 3, 1945, the Charter was completed as a result, with some amendments made to it.

The Charter of the League consisted of an introduction and twenty articles, as well as three appendices, with the first appendix concerning Palestine and including the selection of a representative from Palestine by the League's Council to participate in its work until it achieves independence. The second appendix was concerned with cooperation with non-independent Arab countries, and therefore not members of the League's Council. As for the third and final appendix, it was concerned with appointing Mr. Abdul Rahman Azzam, the Commissioner at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the first Secretary-General of the League for a two-year term. The introduction stated that the relevant countries agreed on the Charter to strengthen Arab relations and interests within a framework of respect for independence and sovereignty, in a manner that serves the common interests of the Arab countries.

On March 22, 1945, the delegates of the Arab countries signed the Charter of the League of Arab States, and a representative of the Palestinian parties attended the signing session. March 22 of each year has since become the annual celebration day of the League of Arab States.

The Arab League has achieved numerous economic and political accomplishments that cannot be ignored. In its early stages, the League actively supported the liberation of large parts of the Arab world and aided in the liberation of many African and Asian countries. Throughout its distinguished history, the League has established many entities, such as the Arab Union of Wire and Wireless Communications, and the Arab Radio and Television Union. It has also signed many charters, including the Arab Charter of Cultural Unity and the Charter of the Arab Teacher, as well as cooperation agreements in various fields.

The League has established the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Arab Academy for Maritime Transport to provide Arab human resources in the field of maritime navigation, the Arab Technical Assistance Fund for African countries, and councils for Arab ministers of interior, housing and electricity. It has also issued the Arab Charter of Human Rights and established the Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Fund following the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, and adopted the Arab Joint Media Work Charter, among many other events, councils, positions, and decisions that have contributed to advancing joint Arab action, in which Egypt has played a significant and influential role.

Egypt supports efforts to support the Arab League as a key tool for joint Arab action, by providing the necessary resources to reform its structures and enable it to perform its role to the fullest. This includes developing its current structures and adding new structures that will contribute to strengthening joint Arab action, while enhancing the League's ability to contain conflicts before they escalate into mechanisms for preventing or managing and settling them peacefully.

Egypt emphasizes the importance of moving forward with Arab economic integration projects and implementing measures and policies that lead to the liberalization of trade, capital, individuals, and technology among Arab countries. Additionally, it emphasizes the production approach in the development of Arab economies, building joint projects, and improving opportunities for joint investment, ultimately leading to the desired Arab common market.

Reforming the Arab system requires reaching a unified concept of Arab collective security and identifying the threats facing it, as well as the necessary measures to protect it. This includes activating the agreements and frameworks of joint Arab cooperation in all fields. In this context, Egypt places great importance on collective Arab cooperation in the fields of science, technology, education, and culture, as well as the development of bilateral relations between Arab countries in these fields, while taking into account the conditions of each country when developing and implementing reform and development processes.

Developing and strengthening Arab relations with all major international and regional powers, both east and west (such as the United States, the European Union, the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, Japan, India, Brazil, South Africa, the ASEAN, etc.) helps create a balance in facing the challenges imposed by current international conditions and taking advantage of the diverse opportunities for support that these powers may provide.

In light of these objectives, Egypt presented an initiative in July 2003 to develop the Arab League and activate joint Arab action. It also supported the resolutions of the Arab summit in Tunisia in 2004 regarding Arab reform and participated in all efforts aimed at reforming and developing joint Arab action and its institutions.

The Arab Summit held in the Saudi capital Riyadh on March 28-29, 2007, welcomed the Egyptian paper presented at the summit, which focused on mechanisms for implementing a comprehensive concept of Arab national security in light of current challenges. The paper addressed how to activate and protect Arab national security from external breaches through local and regional crises in the region.

Egypt participated in most Arab summits held since the establishment of the Arab League in March 1945 until 2022.

The emergency "May 1946" summit was held at the invitation of King Farouk of Egypt, with the participation of the seven founding Arab states of the Arab League, including Egypt, Transjordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. The summit emphasized the right of Arab peoples to achieve independence and called for a halt to Jewish immigration to Palestine. It also decided to defend Palestine in case of aggression against it.

The emergency Beirut Summit in "November 1956" was held following the tripartite aggression against Egypt and Gaza. It was attended by nine Arab heads of state and called for standing with Egypt against this aggression and reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Suez Canal in accordance with the 1888 treaty and the six principles adopted by the United Nations Security Council on October 13, 1956.

The Cairo Summit in "January 1964" was the first ordinary Arab summit held at the invitation of the late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser to discuss Israel's project to divert the waters of the Jordan River. All thirteen member states attended the summit.

The Alexandria Summit in "September 1964" was held in the city of Alexandria with the attendance of fourteen Arab leaders. The summit called for strengthening Arab defense capabilities and welcomed the establishment of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the representative of the Palestinian people. It also called for Arab cooperation in the field of atomic research for peaceful purposes, as well as in economic, cultural, and media fields.

The Casablanca Summit in "September 1956" was attended by twelve Arab countries in addition to the PLO.

The Khartoum Summit in "August 1967" was held in the aftermath of the 1967 defeat, known as the "Naksa." It was known as the Summit of the Three Nos, which were "no peace, no negotiation, no recognition" with Israel. All Arab countries attended except for Syria.

The Rabat Summit in "December 1969" was attended by fourteen Arab countries and called for an end to military operations in Jordan between Palestinian fighters and the Jordanian armed forces, and it supported the Palestinian revolution.

The Emergency Cairo Summit in "September 1970" was held following the armed clashes in Jordan between Palestinian organizations and the Jordanian government, known as the Black September events. Syria, Iraq, Algeria, and Morocco boycotted the summit.

The Algiers Summit in "November 1973" was held with the attendance of sixteen Arab countries, invited by Syria and Egypt after the October 1973 war, and it witnessed Mauritania's accession to the Arab League.

The Rabat Summit in "October 1974" was attended by all Arab countries in addition to Somalia, which participated for the first time.

The Emergency Riyadh Summit in "October 1976" was held at the invitation of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to discuss the crisis in Lebanon and ways to resolve it. The summit included Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Syria, Lebanon, and the PLO.

The Cairo Summit in "October 1976" was attended by fourteen countries to continue discussing the Lebanese crisis, which began at the Six-Nation Conference in Riyadh.

The Emergency Casablanca Summit in "May 1989" restored Egypt's membership in the Arab League, and Lebanon, which had two competing governments, was absent.

The Emergency Baghdad Summit in "May 1990" was attended by all countries except for Lebanon and Syria, and discussed threats to Arab national security and the necessary measures to be taken, as well as condemning the intensification of Jewish immigration to Israel.

The Emergency Cairo Summit in "August 1990" was held following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, and Tunisia was absent.

The Emergency Cairo Summit in "June 1996" was an exceptional summit held after violence erupted against Palestinians following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's entry into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Fourteen Arab leaders attended, and Libya withdrew its diplomatic delegation on the second day of the summit.

The Oman Summit in "March 2001" was attended by 14 Arab leaders, and affirmed the commitment to cut ties with countries that move their embassies to Jerusalem or recognize it as the capital of Israel.

The Beirut Summit in "March 2002" was one of the important summits in its history, as it adopted the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince at the time, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict, and was attended by nine Arab heads of state.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Summit in "March 2003" was chaired by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, and adopted a unified stance in rejecting a US attack on Baghdad, with the attendance of 11 Arab leaders and 11 representatives of other governments.

The Tunis Summit in "May 2004" was attended by 13 heads of state and 9 representatives of Arab governments, and the leaders agreed to introduce amendments to the Arab League Charter for the first time since 1945. The Arab leaders affirmed the importance of the Arab initiative and the roadmap developed by the Quartet on the Middle East, denounced the separation barrier in the West Bank, and affirmed their rejection of the resettlement of Palestinians.

The Algiers Summit in "March 2005" was attended by 13 Arab rulers, and issued the "Algiers Declaration" in which the Arab leaders stressed the need to activate the Arab Peace Initiative, which Israel rejected on the same day.

The Khartoum Summit in "March 2006" was attended by 11 leaders and agreed to establish the Arab Peace and Security Council. A statement was adopted to make the Middle East a zone free of weapons of mass destruction, and the Olmert plan to unilaterally draw the borders with the Palestinian territories was rejected. The summit expressed support for Sudan in the Darfur issue and provided financial support to the African Union forces in Darfur.

The Riyadh Summit in "March 2007" was attended by 17 Arab leaders and decided to reactivate the Arab Peace Initiative, five years after its launch, and called on Israel to accept it.

The Damascus Summit in "March 2008" was attended by 11 leaders and called for overcoming Arab differences. Dr. Mufid Shehab, the Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils, participated on behalf of the President of the Republic.

The Doha Summit in March 2009 was attended by 17 leaders who rejected the decision of the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir. Dr. Mufid Shehab, the Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils, represented the President at the summit.

The Sirte Summit in October 2010, which was attended by 15 governors, called for the development of an Arab action plan to save Jerusalem and preserve the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Dr. Ahmed Nazif represented President Hosni Mubarak at the summit.

The Baghdad Summit in March 2012, attended by 9 leaders, adopted a comprehensive vision for reform in the Arab world. Mohamed Kamel Amr, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, represented Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi.

The Doha Summit in March 2013, attended by 15 heads of state, agreed to establish the Arab Court for Human Rights and the "Support for Jerusalem" fund.

The Kuwait Summit in March 2014, attended by 13 Arab leaders, was the first Arab summit held in Kuwait since it officially joined the Arab League on July 20, 1961.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Summit in March 2015, which was attended by 15 Arab leaders, approved the formation of a joint Arab military force. It was the first summit attended by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the representative of Egypt, and in the final speech of the summit, President El-Sisi announced the adoption of the principle of establishing a joint Arab military force, subject to the formation of a high-level team to study all aspects of its establishment.

The Nouakchott Summit in July 2016, attended by 7 governors, approved the merger of the Arab Economic and Social Summit with the regular Arab Summit, to be held once every 4 years. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, then Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, was tasked with leading the Egyptian delegation during the 27th session of the Arab Summit, held in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott.

The Amman Summit in March 2017, attended by 15 governors, called on countries not to transfer their embassies to Jerusalem or recognize it as the capital of Israel. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi emphasized during his participation the danger of terrorism facing the Arab world, stressing the need to reach a political solution in Syria and rejecting military intervention, highlighting the crises in Syria and Libya.

During the Saudi Arabia's Al-Zahrani Summit in April 2018, the Arab leaders discussed ways to enhance the joint Arab work and confront the challenges and threats facing the Arab region. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi headed the Egyptian delegation and emphasized that the Arab national security is facing unprecedented challenges, and we need a comprehensive strategy to confront the existing security threats.

The Mecca Summit in May 2019 held an extraordinary session of the Arab League to discuss the serious repercussions of the terrorist attack carried out by Houthi militias supported by Iran on the oil pumping stations in Saudi Arabia, as well as their attacks on commercial ships in the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates.

The Algiers Summit in November 2022 marked the first Arab summit meeting in the Algerian capital after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and some countries' agreement to normalize relations with Israel. The summit, held under the slogan of "reuniting," discussed several important issues, including food security and Palestinian reconciliation. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi headed the Egyptian delegation and stressed in his speech Egypt's constant support for the Arab nation, saying, "I address our people and say, trust in our Arab nation, which has a rich history and a vast cultural contribution... Egypt will always put the cohesion of the Arab entity, its protection, and safeguarding at the top of its priorities, and will always continue to support you and keep its doors open to all the sons of the Arab world in defense of their present and the future of upcoming generations."

Egypt's relationship with the Arab League is a historical one, dating back to before its establishment. The "Alexandria Protocol" was the foundational document upon which the Arab League Charter was built, and it was signed following consultations initiated by Mustafa El-Nahhas Pasha. The Arab League Charter was adopted at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in March 1945, and the first Secretary-General was appointed, Egyptian diplomat Abdel Rahman Azzam Pasha. Seven Egyptian diplomats subsequently held the position of Secretary-General out of a total of eight, including Abdel Rahman Azzam, Mohamed Abdel Khalek Hassouna, Mahmoud Riad, Ahmed Asmat Abdel-Meguid, Amr Moussa, Nabil Elaraby, and Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

Each of these figures undoubtedly made contributions that history will not forget, and they played a leading role in strengthening the Arab League's role and developing its mechanisms of action based on their extensive diplomatic experience. They also maintained the League's mechanisms of work without interruption, even during the darkest moments experienced by the Arab region.

Egypt's belief in the role of the Arab League is steadfast and unchanging. Egypt sees that current circumstances and external interventions in Arab affairs necessitate greater coordination among League members and activation of existing partnership and cooperation frameworks, as well as the creation of new mechanisms that can respond to challenges. The Joint Arab Force, proposed by Egypt, is among these mechanisms, which aims to create an effective executive mechanism to confront the genuine challenges facing the Arab system. The Arabs cannot do without the multi-party framework that unites them from the ocean to the Gulf, no matter how strong the coordination is at the bilateral level. The Arab League and the activation of its role have become more urgent in the next phase to limit external interventions, whether from neighboring regional countries or other external powers.

In conclusion, Egypt always affirms its commitment to supporting the Arab League to remain the house of Arabs where brothers come together in times of hardship to defend the interests of the Arab nation against the dangers that threaten it.