Federation of Arab Republics

Confederation of Libya, Egypt and Syria (1972–1977)

Not to be confused with Federation of Arab Emirates.

This article is about the union of Egypt, Syria, and Libya. For the 1958-1961 union of Egypt and Syria, see United Arab Republic. For the 1974 union of Tunisia and Libya, see Arab Islamic Republic.

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Federation of Arab Republics

إتحاد الجمهوريات العربية (Arabic)
Ittiḥād al-Jumhūrīyāt al-'Arabīyah

1972–1977

Flag

Coat of arms

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.

Capital| Cairo (Egypt)
Tripoli (Libya)
Damascus (Syria)
Largest city| Cairo
Official languages| Arabic
Government| Federal Republic under a confederation
Legislature| Federal National Assembly
Historical era| Arab 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|

* Egyptian pound
* Libyan dinar
* Syrian pound

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|

* Egypt
* Libya
* Syria

Part of a series on the

Arab world

Political Issues

* Arab Winter
* Syrian Civil War
* Somali Civil War
* Western Sahara conflict
* Arab–Israeli conflict
* Pan-Arabism

Weapons of mass destruction

* Egypt
* Iraq
* Libya
* Syria

Geography

* Middle East and North Africa

Regions

* Maghreb
* Nile Valley
* Mashriq
* South Arabia
* Tihamah
* Yemen
* Hadhramaut
* Eastern Arabia
* Hijaz
* Najd
* Bab-el-Mandeb

Deserts

* Sahara
* Arabian
* ad-Dahna

Governance

* Founding Charter
* Human Rights Charter
* Secretary General
(Ahmed Aboul Gheit)

Institutions

* Council
* Summits
* Parliament

Unity

|  Arab leaders

* King Salman
* King Abdullah
* Fattah el-Sisi

Ideology

*     * Arab nationalism
* Nasserism

*     * Arab socialism
* Ba'athism

* Third International Theory

* * *

*     * Islamism
* Sunni Islam

*     * Anti-Iranian sentiment
* Anti-Shi'ism

*     * Antisemitism
* Anti-Zionism

Attempts at political union

* Arab Federation
* Arab Islamic Republic
* Federation of Arab Republics
* Unified Political Command
* Union of Arab Republics
* United Arab Kingdom
* United Arab Republic
* United Arab States

Organizational unions

* Cooperation Council for the
Arab States of the Gulf (GCC)

* Arab Maghreb Union

Foreign relations

|  Multilateral

* African Union
* ASEAN
* European Union
* Latin America

Bilateral

* Brazil
* China
* Eritrea
* France
* India
* Eritrea
* Iran
* Israel
* Pakistan
* Turkey
* United States
* Uzbekistan
* Venezuela

Military

* Expenditure
* Arab Revolt

Joint defence

* Joint Defence Council
* United Arab Command
* Peninsula Shield
* Arab Organization for
Industrialization (AOI)

Economy

* Economic and Social Council
* Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU)
* Arab Monetary Fund
* Arab Fund for Economic and
Social Development (AFESD)

* Union for the Mediterranean
* Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA)
* Chambers of Commerce
* Arab Customs Union
* International Confederation of
Arab Trade Unions (ICATU)

* Federation of Arab Trade Unions
and Labor Societies (FATULS)

* Qualifying Industrial Zone (QIZ)

Transportation

* Aviation

Railways

* Berlin–Baghdad
* Hejaz
* ONCF
* Palestine

Bridges

* Dubai Smile
* Qatar–Bahrain Causeway
* King Fahd Causeway
* Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing
* Saudi–Egypt Causeway
* Bridge of the Horns

Culture

|  Media

* Arab-SAT
* Nile-SAT
* Arab Media Group
* Arabian Television Network
* Arab International Media Services
* Al Arabiya
* Al Jazeera

Arab Capital of Culture

* Algiers (2007)
* Jerusalem (2008)
* Damascus (2009)
* Doha (2010)

* Arabic language
* Cuisine
* Art
* Literature Mu'allaqat)
* Dress

Sport

* Pan Arab Games
* Arab Champions League
( Cup Winners' Cup)

* Arabian Gulf Cup
* Arab Cup

Demographics

|  Religion

* Muslims (majority)
* Christians
* Jews
* Yazidis
* Shabaks
* Mandaeans
* Hinduism

Ethnicities

* Arabs (Arabization)
* Berbers
* Kurds
* Nubians
* Somalis
* other

* Arab diaspora

Lifestyles

* Bedouin
* Marsh Arabs

Language

* Arabic (majority)

* Afar
* Armenian
* Berber
* Hebrew
* Kurdish
* Nubian
* Persian
* Somali

* v
* t
* e

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

[edit]

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 September 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 coordinated 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

[edit]

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

### Other Federations of Arab Republics

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

* Federation of Egypt, Libya and Sudan (1969/70–1971)
* Federation of Egypt, Libya and Syria (1971/72–1974/77)
* Union between Egypt and Libya within the Federation (1972–1973/74)
* Union between Egypt and Syria within the Federation (1976–1977)
* Federation comprising Egypt, Sudan and Syria (1977)

* FAR 1970, Syria intends to join the Egyptian-Libyan-Sudanese Federation

* FAR 1971, Sudan is said to join later but keeps outside the Federation

* FAR 1972, Iraq is invited to join the Egyptian-Libyan-Syrian Federation

* FAR 1973, Egypt and Libya fail to form a Union within the Federation

* FAR 1976, Egypt and Syria intend to form a Union within the Federation

* FAR 1977, Sudan intends to join the Egypt-Syrian Federation

## Symbols of member states

[edit]

### Flags

[edit]

* Egyptian flag used until 1984, 7 years after the dissolution

* Libyan flag used until 1977

* Syrian flag used until 1980, 3 years after the dissolution

### Coats of arms

[edit]

* Egyptian coat of arms used until 1984, 7 years after the dissolution

* Libyan coat of arms used until 1977

* Syrian coat of arms used until 1980, 3 years after the dissolution

### Maps

[edit]

* Location of Egypt

* Location of Libya

* Location of Syria

## See also

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Federation of Arab Republics.

* Union of Arab Republics, Iraqi counter-proposal to the Federation of Arab Republics
* Arab Federation, a confederation between Iraq and Jordan (1958)
* Arab Islamic Republic, a proposed union of Libya and Tunisia (1974)
* United Arab Emirates, a union of seven Arab states (1971–present day)
* United Arab Republic, a union between Egypt and Syria (1958–61)
* United Arab States, a confederation between the United Arab Republic and the Kingdom of Yemen (1958–61)
* Unified Political Command, merger projects between Egypt and Iraq as well as between Egypt and North Yemen

## References

[edit]

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ a b Nohlen, Krennerich & Thibaut 1999, p. 336.
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, Krennerich & Thibaut 1999, p. 340.
14. ^ Nohlen, Krennerich & Thibaut 1999, p. 528.
15. ^ Müller, Beat (8 October 2018). "Syria, September 1, 1971 : Formation of the Federation of Arab Republics". Database and Search Engine for Direct Democracy (in German). Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.

### Sources

[edit]

* Nohlen, Dieter; Krennerich, Michael; Thibaut, Bernhard (22 July 1999). Elections in Africa: a data handbook. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-829645-4.
* Blundy, David; Lycett, Andrew (1987). Qaddafi and the Libyan Revolution. Boston and Toronto: Little Brown & Co. ISBN 978-0-316-10042-7.
* Harris, Lillian Craig (1986). Libya: Qadhafi's Revolution and the Modern State. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press. ISBN 0-8133-0075-4.
* Kawczynski, Daniel (2011). Seeking Gaddafi: Libya, the West and the Arab Spring. Biteback. ISBN 978-1-84954-148-0.
* Vandewalle, Dirk (2008), "Libya's Revolution in Perspective: 1969–2000", Libya Since 1969: Qadhafi's Revolution Revisited, Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 9–53, ISBN 978-0-230-33750-3
* Metz, Helen Chapin, ed. (1989). Libya: A Country Study. Area Handbook Series (fourth ed.). Washington D. C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. LCCN 88600480.
* Pollack, Kenneth Michael (2004). Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness, 1948–1991. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-0-8032-0686-1.
* St. John, Ronald Bruce (2012). Libya : from colony to revolution. Oxford, England: Oneworld. ISBN 978-1-85168-919-4.

* v
* t
* e

Arab nationalism

Ideology|

* Arab socialism
* Arab-Islamic nationalism
* Ba'athism
* Assadism
* Neo-Ba'athism
* Saddamism
* Nasserism
* Pan-Arabism
* Third International Theory

History|

* Arab Revolt
* Intercommunal conflict in Mandatory Palestine
* 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine
* Iraqi Revolt
* Arab separatism in Khuzestan
* 1979 Khuzestan insurgency
* Great Syrian Revolt
* 1941 Iraqi coup d'état
* Anglo-Iraqi War
* Arab–Israeli conflict
* Suez Crisis
* Six-Day War
* War of Attrition
* Yom Kippur War
* Israeli–Palestinian conflict
* 1952 Egyptian revolution
* Iraqi Intifada
* Algerian War
* 14 July Revolution
* 1959 Mosul uprising
* 1961 Syrian coup d'état
* Arab Cold War
* North Yemen civil war
* Ramadan Revolution
* 1963 Syrian coup d'état
* Dhofar rebellion
* November 1963 Iraqi coup d'état
* Aden Emergency
* 1966 Syrian coup d'état
* 17 July Revolution
* 1969 Sudanese coup d'état
* 1969 Libyan revolution
* Black September
* Lebanese Civil War
* Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
* Yemeni unification

Concepts|

* Arab identity
* Arab Union
* Arab world
* Arabization

Personalities|

* Butrus al-Bustani
* Michel Aflaq
* Jassem Alwan
* Yasser Arafat
* Abdul Rahman Arif
* Abdul Salam Arif
* Zaki al-Arsuzi
* Bashar al-Assad
* Hafez al-Assad
* Jamal al-Atassi
* Mansur al-Atrash
* Sultan al-Atrash
* Tariq Aziz
* Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr
* Ahmed Ben Bella
* Salah al-Din al-Bitar
* Izzat Darwaza
* Faisal I
* Muammar Gaddafi
* Rashid Ali al-Gaylani
* George Habash
* Sati' al-Husri
* Hussein bin Ali, King of Hejaz
* Saddam Hussein
* Amin al-Husseini
* Salah Jadid
* Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi
* Mostéfa Merarda
* Gamal Abdel Nasser
* Adnan Pachachi
* Ameen Rihani
* Fuad al-Rikabi
* Abdullah Rimawi
* Hamdeen Sabahi
* Constantin Zureiq

Organizations|

* Al-Awda
* Al-Fatat
* Al-Mourabitoun
* Arab Ba'ath
* Arab Ba'ath Movement
* Arab Federation
* Arab Higher Committee
* Arab Islamic Republic
* Arab Liberation Army
* Arab Nationalist Movement
* Arab Socialist Action Party
* Arab Socialist Union (Egypt)
* Arab Socialist Union (Iraq)
* Arab Socialist Union (Libya)
* Arab Socialist Union Party (Syria)
* Arabian Peninsula People's Union
* Army of the Men of the Naqshbandi Order
* Ba'ath Party
* Ba'ath Party (Iraqi-dominated faction)
* Ba'ath Party (Syrian-dominated faction)
* Fatah
* Federation of Arab Republics
* General Military Council for Iraqi Revolutionaries
* Independence Party (Mandatory Palestine)
* Islamic Legion
* Lebanese National Movement
* National Liberation Front (Algeria)
* Palestine Liberation Organization
* Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
* Rejectionist Front
* Supreme Command for Jihad and Liberation
* Unified Political Command
* Union of Arab Republics (1972)
* United Arab Republic
* United Arab States

Literature|

* The Arab Awakening
* The Battle for One Destiny
* On the Way of Resurrection

Symbolism|

* Arab Liberation Flag
* Coat of arms of the United Arab Republic
* Eagle of Saladin
* Flag of the Arab Federation
* Flag of the Arab Revolt
* Flag of the Federation of Arab Republics
* Flag of the United Arab Republic
* Hawk of Quraish
* Pan-Arab colors

Related topics|

* Algerian nationalism
* Egyptian nationalism
* Greater Mauritania
* Greater Morocco
* Greater Syria
* Greater Yemen
* Iraqi nationalism
* Islamism
* Jordanian nationalism
* Lebanese nationalism
* Libyan nationalism
* Palestinian nationalism
* Pan-Islamism
* Sahrawi nationalism
* Syrian nationalism
* Tunisian nationalism

* Category

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Israel

Other|

* Yale LUX

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