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Federation of Arab Republics
إتحاد الجمهوريات العربية (Arabic)
Ittiḥād al-Jumhūrīyāt al-'Arabīyah
1972–1977
Anthem: "Walla Zaman Ya Selahy"
(English: "Oh For Ages! My Weapon!")
(by Egypt and Libya)
Humat ad-Diyar
(English: "Guardians of the Homeland")
(by Syria)
The Federation of Arab Republics in 1972.
The Federation of Arab Republics in 1972.
CapitalCairo (Egypt)
Tripoli (Libya)
Damascus (Syria)
Common languagesArabic
GovernmentRepublic under a confederation
LegislatureFederal National Assembly
Historical eraArab Cold War
• Referendums held
1 September 1971
• Federation established
1 January 1972
• Disestablished
19 November 1977
Area
• Total
2,895,128 km2 (1,117,815 sq mi)
Currency
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Arab Republic of Egypt
Libyan Arab Republic
Syrian Arab Republic
Arab Republic of Egypt
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Syrian Arab Republic
Today part of
Part of a series on the
Politics of the Arab world
Issues
Weapons of mass destruction
Geography
Regions
Deserts
Governance
Institutions
Unity
Arab leaders
Ideology
Attempts at political union
Organizational unions
Foreign relations
Multilateral
Bilateral
Military
Joint defence
Economy
Transportation
Railways
Bridges
Culture
Media
Arab Capital of Culture
Sport
Demographics
Religion
Ethnicities
Lifestyles
Language

The Federation of Arab Republics (FAR; Arabic: إتحاد الجمهوريات العربية, Ittiḥād al-Jumhūrīyāt al-'Arabīyah, lit. 'Union of Arab Republics') was an unsuccessful attempt by Muammar Gaddafi to merge Libya, Egypt and Syria in order to create a unified Arab state. Although approved by a referendum in each country on 1 September 1971,[1] the three countries disagreed on the specific terms of the merger. The federation lasted from 1 January 1972 to 19 November 1977.

History

In 1969, Arab nationalist military officers seized power in Libya. The ideological influence of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser over the new Libyan government was immediately apparent.[2] The administration was immediately recognized by the Arab nationalist governments in Egypt, Iraq, Sudan and Syria[3] with Egypt sending experts to aid Libya's inexperienced government.[4] Gaddafi propounded Pan-Arab ideas, proclaiming the need for a single Arab state stretching across North Africa and the Middle East. In December 1969, Libya founded the Arab Revolutionary Front with Egypt and Sudan as a step towards political unification, and in 1970 Syria stated its intention to join.[5]

After Nasser's death in September 1970, his successor, Anwar Sadat, suggested that rather than a unified state, they create a political federation. It was implemented in April 1971 which enabled Egypt, Syria and Sudan to get large grants of Libyan oil money.[6] In February 1972, Gaddafi and Sadat signed an unofficial charter of merger, but it was never implemented as relations broke down the following year. Sadat became increasingly wary of Libya's radical direction, and the September 1973 deadline for implementing the Federation passed by with no action taken.[7] In October 1973 Egypt and Syria, without consulting Libya, launched a co-ordinated attack on Israel, initiating the October war.[8] Sadat agreed to open negotiations with Israel, seeking the return of the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in exchange for a guarantee to not engage in further attacks on the country.[9] Gaddafi was angered by the war's limited objectives and the ceasefire, and accused Sadat of cowardice, undermining the FAR,[10] and betraying the Arab cause.[11] Sadat responded by revealing he had intervened earlier that year to prevent Libya from sinking a civilian passenger ship carrying Jewish tourists in the Mediterranean Sea. Thereafter Egyptian–Libyan relations were marked by frequent accusations against each country's leaders, and further discussions regarding the pursuit of unity were abandoned.[12]

Referendums

Three simultaneous referendums on the Federation of Arab Republics were held on 1 September 1971, in Egypt, Libya and Syria.[13] In the Egyptian referendum the proposal was approved by 99.96% of voters,[14] in the Libyan referendum it was approved by 98.6% of voters,[15] whilst in Syria 96.4% voted in favour.[16]

Other Federations of Arab Republics

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Symbols of member states

Flags

Coats of arms

Maps

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Federation of Arab Republics.

References

Citations

  1. ^ Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p336 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
  2. ^ Vandewalle 2008, p. 9; St. John 2012, p. 137.
  3. ^ Blundy & Lycett 1987, p. 60; Kawczynski 2011, p. 18.
  4. ^ Blundy & Lycett 1987, pp. 62–63; Kawczynski 2011, p. 18.
  5. ^ Blundy & Lycett 1987, p. 75; Kawczynski 2011, p. 65; St. John 2012, p. 186.
  6. ^ Harris 1986, p. 87; Kawczynski 2011, p. 65; St. John 2012, pp. 151–152.
  7. ^ Kawczynski 2011, p. 66; St. John 2012, p. 182.
  8. ^ Metz 1989, p. 52.
  9. ^ Pollack 2004, pp. 131–132.
  10. ^ Metz 1989, p. 53.
  11. ^ Pollack 2004, p. 132.
  12. ^ Metz 1989, pp. 52–53.
  13. ^ Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p336 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
  14. ^ Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p340 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
  15. ^ Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p528 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
  16. ^ Syrien, 1. September 1971 : Bildung der Vereinigten Arabischen Republik Direct Democracy (in German)

Sources

Categories