Pact of the League of Arab States new

Signed in Cairo on March 22, 1945, the Pact of the League of Arab States stands as a landmark in modern Arab history — the first formal attempt to institutionalize unity among newly independent Arab nations. Emerging from the political upheavals that followed World War II and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Pact sought to safeguard Arab sovereignty, coordinate regional policies, and promote common welfare across economic, cultural, and political fronts. It was not merely a treaty of solidarity but the founding charter of a regional organization rooted in the shared language, history, and destiny of its member states.

Preamble

His Excellency the President of the syrian Republic,
His Royal Highness the Emir of Trans Jordan,
His Majesty the King of Iraq,
His Majesty the King of Saudi Arabia,
His Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic,
His Majesty the King of Egypt,
His Majesty the King of Yemen,

With a view to strengthening the close relations and numerous ties which bind the Arab States,

And out of concern for the cementing and reinforcing of these bonds on the basis of respect for the independence and sovereignty of these States,

And in order to direct their efforts toward the goal of the welfare of all the Arab States, their common weal, the guarantee of their future and the realization of their aspirations,

And in response to Arab public opinion in all the Arab countries,

Have agreed to conclude a pact to this effect and have delegated as their plenipotentiaries those whose names are given below:

Who, after the exchange of the credentials granting them full authority, which were found valid and in proper form, have agreed upon the following:

Article 1

The League of Arab States shall be composed of the independent Arab States that have signed this Pact.

Every independent Arab State shall have the right to adhere to the League.
Should it desire to adhere, it shall present an application to this effect which shall be filed with the permanent General Secretariat and submitted to the Council at its first meeting following the presentation of the application.

Article 2

The purpose of the League is to draw closer the relations between member States and coordinate their political activities with the aim of realizing close collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries.

It also has among its purposes close cooperation of the member States, with due regard to the structure of each of these States and the conditions prevailing therein, in the following matters:

(a) Economic and financial matters, including trade, customs, currency, agriculture and industry.
(b) Communications, including railways, roads, aviation, navigation, and posts and telegraphs.
(c) Cultural matters.
(d) Matters connected with nationality, passports, visas, execution of judgments and extradition.
(e) Social welfare matters.
(f) Health matters.

Article 3

The League shall have a Council composed of the representatives of the member States. Each State shall have one vote, regardless of the number of its representatives.

The Council shall be entrusted with realizing the purposes of the League and supervising the execution of agreements concluded between member States on matters referred to in the preceding article or on other matters.

It shall also determine the means whereby the League will collaborate with future international organizations created to guarantee peace and security and organize economic and social relations.

Article 4

A special Committee shall be formed for each category enumerated in Article 2, with member State representation. These Committees shall establish the basis and scope of cooperation in the form of draft agreements, submitted to the Council for consideration before being referred to the States.

Delegates from other Arab countries may participate as members. The Council shall determine the circumstances and representation basis for such participation.

Article 5

The recourse to force for the settlement of disputes between two or more member States shall not be allowed.

Should a dispute not involving independence, sovereignty, or territorial integrity arise, and should the parties apply to the Council for settlement, the Council’s decision shall be effective and obligatory.

The disputing States shall not participate in deliberations and decisions.

The Council shall mediate in disputes which may lead to war between two member States or between a member State and another State to conciliate them.
Decisions on arbitration and mediation shall be taken by majority vote.

Article 6

In case of aggression or threat of aggression by a State against a member State, the State attacked or threatened may request an immediate meeting of the Council.

The Council shall determine necessary measures to repel the aggression; its decision shall be taken unanimously.
If aggression is committed by a member State, that State’s vote shall not be counted in determining unanimity.

If the government of the State attacked cannot communicate with the Council, its representative may request a meeting; if this is not possible, any member State may request it.

Article 7

Decisions of the Council taken by unanimous vote shall be binding on all member States; those reached by majority vote shall bind only those that accept them.

In both cases, decisions shall be executed in each State in accordance with its constitutional structure.

Article 8

Every member State shall respect the form of government in other member States, recognize it as a right, and pledge not to take action tending to change that form.

Article 9

Member States wishing closer collaboration and stronger bonds than those provided for in this Pact may conclude agreements to that effect among themselves.

Existing or future treaties between a member and any other State shall not bind other members.

Article 10

The permanent seat of the League of Arab States shall be Cairo.
The Council may meet elsewhere if it designates.

Article 11

The Council shall meet in ordinary session twice yearly, in March and October, and in extraordinary session upon request of two member States.

Article 12

The League shall have a permanent General Secretariat, composed of a Secretary-General, Assistant Secretaries, and staff.

The Secretary-General shall be appointed by two-thirds vote of the Council; Assistant Secretaries and principal officials by the Secretary-General with Council approval.

The Council shall establish internal organization and conditions of service.

The Secretary-General shall have ambassadorial rank; Assistant Secretaries, minister plenipotentiary rank.
The first Secretary-General is designated in an annex.

Article 13

The Secretary-General shall prepare the draft budget and submit it to the Council for approval before each fiscal year.

The Council shall determine each State’s share of expenses and may revise it if necessary.

Article 14

Council members, Committee members, and designated officials shall enjoy diplomatic privileges and immunities.
Premises occupied by League institutions shall be inviolable.

Article 15

The Council shall first meet at the invitation of the Head of the Egyptian Government. Later meetings shall be convened by the Secretary-General.

Chairmanship of the Council shall rotate among member State representatives.

Article 16

Except where otherwise provided, a majority shall suffice for Council decisions in:
(a) Matters concerning officials.
(b) Approval of the budget.
(c) Internal organization of the Council, Committees, and General Secretariat.
(d) Termination of sessions.

Article 17

Member States shall file with the General Secretariat copies of all treaties and agreements concluded or to be concluded with any other State, whether member or not.

Article 18

A State intending to withdraw shall inform the Council one year before withdrawal takes effect.

The Council may consider any State failing its obligations as excluded from the League, by unanimous decision of all members except the State concerned.

Article 19

This Pact may be amended with approval of two-thirds of members, particularly to strengthen ties, create an Arab Court of Justice, or regulate relations with future international organizations guaranteeing peace and security.

No amendment decision shall be taken except in the session following its proposal.

Any State not approving an amendment may withdraw when it becomes effective, without being bound by Article 18.

Article 20

This Pact and its annexes shall be ratified according to each contracting State’s system of government.

Ratification instruments shall be filed with the General Secretariat. The Pact becomes binding fifteen days after the Secretary-General receives four ratifications.

Drawn up in Arabic in Cairo, dated 8 Rabi al Thani 1364 (March 22, 1945), in a single text deposited with the General Secretariat.
A certified copy shall be sent to each State.

ANNEX ON PALESTINE

At the end of the last Great War, Palestine, with other Arab States, was separated from the Ottoman Empire and became independent.

The Treaty of Lausanne proclaimed that her fate should be decided by the parties concerned in Palestine.
Even though Palestine was not able to control her destiny, it was on recognition of her independence that the Covenant of the League of Nations determined her system of government.

Her existence and independence among nations can, therefore, no more be questioned de jure than that of other Arab States.

Even though outward signs of independence remained veiled as a result of force majeure, this should not prevent Palestine’s participation in the work of the League.

Therefore, the States signatory to the Pact consider that, given Palestine’s special circumstances, the Council should designate an Arab delegate from Palestine to participate in its work until the country enjoys actual independence.

ANNEX ON CO-OPERATION WITH ARAB COUNTRIES NOT MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL

Whereas member States will deal with questions affecting all Arab interests,

And whereas the Council cannot ignore the aspirations of Arab countries not yet members,

The signatory States urge that the Council cooperate with them as far as possible by involving them in Committees and seeking to understand their needs, working for their welfare and the guarantee of their future by available political means.

ANNEX ON THE APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY-GENERAL

The signatory States agree to appoint Abd Al Rahman Azzam Bey as Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.

His appointment shall be for two years, after which the Council shall determine the future organization of the General Secretariat.