View source for Arab League

{{short description|Regional organization}}
{{About|the regional organization|the geographical region|Arab world}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox geopolitical organisation
| conventional_long_name = League of Arab States
| native_name            = {{unbulleted list|جامعة الدول العربية ([[Arabic]])<br />{{transliteration|ar|Jāmiʿat ad-Duwal al-ʿArabiyya}}}}
| linking_name           = the Arab League
| image_flag             = Flag of the Arab League.svg
| image_map              = Member states of the Arab League (orthographic projection).svg
| map_width              = 250px
| map_caption            = Member states shown in dark green
| symbol_type            = [[Emblem of the Arab League|Emblem]]
| image_symbol           = Emblem of the Arab League.svg
| admin_center           = [[Cairo]]{{efn|From 1979 to 1990, [[Tunis]].}}
| admin_center_type      = Headquarters
| membership_type        = [[Member states of the Arab League|Members]]
| membership             = {{ubl|class=nowrap|
 |{{flag|Algeria}} 
 |{{flag|Bahrain}} 
 |{{flag|Comoros}} 
 |{{flag|Djibouti}} 
 |{{flag|Egypt}} 
 |{{flag|Iraq}} 
 |{{flag|Jordan}} 
 |{{flag|Kuwait}} 
 |{{flag|Lebanon}} 
 |{{flag|Libya}} 
 |{{flag|Mauritania}} 
 |{{flag|Morocco}} 
 |{{flag|Oman}} 
 |{{flag|Palestine}} 
 |{{flag|Qatar}} 
 |{{flag|Saudi Arabia}} 
 |{{flag|Somalia}} 
 |{{flag|Sudan}} 
 |{{flag|Syria}} 
 |{{flag|Tunisia}} 
 |{{flag|United Arab Emirates}} 
 |{{flag|Yemen}}
}}
| official_languages     = [[Modern Standard Arabic|Arabic]]
| org_type               = [[Regional organization]]
| leader_title1          = [[Secretary General of the Arab League|Secretary-General]]
| leader_name1           = [[Ahmed Aboul Gheit]]
| leader_title2          = [[Speaker of the Arab Parliament|Parliament Speaker]]
| leader_name2           = [[Mohammed Al-Yamahi]]<ref>https://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5170971-arab-parliament-speaker-welcomes-uk-plan-recognize-palestinian-state</ref>
| legislature            = [[Arab Parliament]]
| established_event1     = [[Alexandria Protocol]]
| established_date1      = 22 March 1945
| established_event2     = [[Joint Defence and Economic Co-operation Treaty]]
| established_date2      = 18 June 1950
| established_event3     = [[Casablanca Protocol]]
| established_date3      = 11 September 1965
| established_event4     = [[Politics of the Arab League|Agreement for Judicial Cooperation]]
| established_date4      = 6 April 1983
| established_event5     = [[Greater Arab Free Trade Area|Greater Free Trade Area]]
| established_date5      = 2 January 2005
| area_label             = Total area
| area_km2               = 13132327
| area_sq_mi             = 5070420
| area_rank              = 2nd
| area_label2            = 
| area_data2             = 
| population_estimate    = 481,233,000<ref name="IMFAPR2025">{{cite web |title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april/weo-report?c=612,419,632,611,469,433,439,443,446,672,682,686,449,453,456,726,732,463,744,466,487,474,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,LP,&sy=2010&ey=2025&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |website=IMF |access-date=11 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2025
| population_estimate_rank = 3rd
| population_density_km2 = 36.64
| population_density_sq_mi = 94.91
| GDP_PPP                = $9.423 trillion<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2025
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = $19,581<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
| GDP_nominal            = $3.546 trillion<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2025
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $7,369<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 7th
| Gini_year              = 
| Gini_change            = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini                   = <!--number only-->
| Gini_ref               = 
| HDI_year               = 
| HDI_change             = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI                    = <!--number only-->
| HDI_ref                = 
| currency               = {{ubl
 | {{flagicon|Algeria}} [[Algerian dinar]]
 | {{flagicon|Bahrain}} [[Bahraini dinar]]
 | {{flagicon|Comoros}} [[Comorian franc]]
 | {{flagicon|Djibouti}} [[Djiboutian franc]]
 | {{flagicon|Egypt}} [[Egyptian pound]]
 | {{flagicon|Iraq}} [[Iraqi dinar]]
 | {{flagicon|Jordan}} [[Jordanian dinar]]
 | {{flagicon|Kuwait}} [[Kuwaiti dinar]]
 | {{flagicon|Lebanon}} [[Lebanese pound]]
 | {{flagicon|Libya}} [[Libyan dinar]]
 | {{flagicon|Mauritania}} [[Mauritanian ouguiya]]
 | {{flagicon|Morocco}} [[Moroccan dirham]]
 | {{flagicon|Oman}} [[Omani rial]]
 | {{flagicon|Qatar}} [[Qatari riyal]]
 | {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} [[Saudi riyal]]
 | {{flagicon|Somalia}} [[Somali shilling]]
 | {{flagicon|Sudan}} [[Sudanese pound]]
 | {{flagicon|Syria}} [[Syrian pound]]
 | {{flagicon|Tunisia}} [[Tunisian dinar]]
 | {{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} [[United Arab Emirates dirham|UAE dirham]]
 | {{flagicon|Yemen}} [[Yemeni rial]]}}
| time_zone              = 
| utc_offset             = +0 to +4
| official_website       = {{URL|http://www.leagueofarabstates.net/|leagueofarabstates.org}}
}}
{{Life in the Arab League}}

The '''Arab League''' ({{langx|ar|الجامعة العربية}}, ''{{Transliteration|ar|al-Jāmiʿa al-ʻArabiyya}}'' {{IPA|ar|al.d͡ʒaː.mi.ʕa al.ʕa.ra.bij.ja||Aljami3a_al-3arabia.ogg}}), officially the '''League of Arab States''' ({{langx|ar|جامعة الدول العربية}}, ''{{Transliteration|ar|Jāmiʿat ad-Duwal al-ʿArabiyya}}''), is a [[regional organization]] in the [[Arab world]]. The Arab League was formed in [[Cairo]] on 22 March 1945, initially with seven members: [[Kingdom of Egypt|Egypt]], [[Kingdom of Iraq|Iraq]], [[Emirate of Transjordan|Transjordan]], [[Lebanon]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[First Syrian Republic|Syria]], and [[Kingdom of Yemen|North Yemen]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Arab League|encyclopedia=The Columbia Encyclopedia|year=2013}}</ref> Currently, the League has [[member states of the Arab League|22 members]].

The League's main goal is to "draw closer the relations between member states and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries".<ref name="yale">{{cite web|title=Pact of the League of Arab States, 22 March 1945|work=[[The Avalon Project]] |publisher=[[Yale Law School]]|year=1998|url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/arableag.asp |access-date=15 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725204917/http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/mideast/arableag.htm|archive-date=25 July 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> The organization has received a relatively low level of cooperation throughout its history.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|last1=Barnett|first1=Michael|title=Designed to fail or failure of design? The origins and legacy of the Arab League|date=2007|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/crafting-cooperation/designed-to-fail-or-failure-of-design-the-origins-and-legacy-of-the-arab-league/5D266BBD41931A1E5D9CBE2266DABEBD|work=Crafting Cooperation: Regional International Institutions in Comparative Perspective|pages=180–220|editor-last=Johnston|editor-first=Alastair Iain|publisher=Cambridge University Press|doi=10.1017/cbo9780511491436.006|isbn=978-0-521-69942-6|last2=Solingen|first2=Etel|editor2-last=Acharya|editor2-first=Amitav|access-date=22 December 2021|archive-date=11 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611202407/https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/crafting-cooperation/designed-to-fail-or-failure-of-design-the-origins-and-legacy-of-the-arab-league/5D266BBD41931A1E5D9CBE2266DABEBD|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Through institutions, notably the [[Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization]] (ALECSO) and the Economic and Social Council of its [[Council of Arab Economic Unity]] (CAEU), the League facilitates political, economic, cultural, scientific, and social programmes designed to promote the interests of the Arab world.<ref>Ashish K. Vaidya, ''Globalization'' (ABC-CLIO: 2006), p. 525.</ref> It has served as a forum for the member states to coordinate policy, arrange studies of and committees as to matters of common concern, settle inter-state disputes and limit conflicts such as the [[1958 Lebanon crisis]]. The League has served as a platform for the drafting and conclusion of many landmark documents promoting economic integration. One example is the [[Joint Arab Economic Action Charter]], which outlines the principles for economic activities in the region.

Each member state has one vote in the [[Council of the Arab League]], and decisions are binding only for those states that have voted for them. The aims of the league in 1945 were to strengthen and coordinate the political, cultural, economic and social programs of its members and to mediate disputes among them or between them and third parties. Furthermore, the signing of an agreement on ''Joint Defence and Economic Cooperation'' on 13 April 1950 committed the signatories to coordination of military defence measures. In March 2015, the Arab League General Secretary announced the establishment of a Joint Arab Force with the aim of counteracting extremism and other threats to the Arab States. The decision was reached while [[Operation Decisive Storm]] was intensifying in Yemen. Participation in the project is voluntary, and the army intervenes only at the request of one of the member states. Existing military cooperation between Arab league states and regional civil wars and terrorist threats were the impetuses for JAF's establishment.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fanack|title=The Joint Arab Force – Will It Ever Work?|url=https://chronicle.fanack.com/specials/league-arab-states/the-joint-arab-force-will-it-ever-work/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713222118/https://chronicle.fanack.com/specials/league-arab-states/the-joint-arab-force-will-it-ever-work/|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 July 2015|website=Fanack.com|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref>

In the early 1970s, the Economic Council put forward a proposal to create the [[Politics of the Arab League|Joint Arab Chambers of Commerce]] across international states. That led to the setting up of mandates to promote, encourage and facilitate bilateral trade between the Arab world and significant trading partners.

==History==
Following adoption of the [[Alexandria Protocol]] in 1944, the Arab League was founded on 22 March 1945.<ref name="History">[http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/arab-league-formed Arab League formed – History.com This Day in History – 3/22/1945] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116041827/https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/arab-league-formed |date=16 November 2018 }}.</ref> The official headquarters of the League was the Boustan Palace in Cairo.<ref name= Baqai>{{cite journal|author=I. H. Baqai|title=The Pan-Arab League|journal=India Quarterly|date=May 1946|volume=2|issue=2|pages=144–150|jstor=45067282|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/45067282|access-date=3 April 2022|archive-date=3 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403042425/https://www.jstor.org/stable/45067282|url-status=live}}</ref> It aimed to be a regional organisation of Arab states with a focus to developing the economy, resolving disputes and coordinating political aims.<ref name= Baqai/> Other countries later joined the league.<ref>[http://history.howstuffworks.com/asian-history/arab-league.htm HowStuffWorks "Arab League"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815225240/http://history.howstuffworks.com/asian-history/arab-league.htm |date=15 August 2011 }} History.howstuffworks.com (27 February 2008). Retrieved on 2014-04-28.</ref> Each country was given one vote in the council. The first major action was joint intervention to keep Palestine from being divided into two states in keeping with the decision of the United Nations General Assembly. When Transjordan agreed to this proposal, Egypt intervened to prevent this from happening.<ref>Avi Shlaim, ''Collusion Across the Jordan: King Abdullah, the Zionist Movement and the Partition of Palestine''. Oxford, U.K., Clarendon Press, 1988; Uri Bar-Joseph, Uri, The Best of Enemies: Israel and Transjordan in the War of 1948. London, Frank Cass, 1987; Joseph Nevo, King Abdullah and Palestine: A Territorial Ambition (London: Macmillan Press; New York: St. Martin's Press, 1996.</ref> It was followed by the creation of a mutual defence treaty two years later. A common market was established in 1965.<ref>Robert W. MacDonald, ''The League of Arab States: A Study in Regional Organization''. Princeton, New Jersey, United States, Princeton University Press, 1965.</ref>

[[File:Arab League of states establishment - Egypt 22-3-1945.jpg|thumb|Arab League of states establishment memorial stamp. Showing flags of the 8 establishing countries: [[Kingdom of Egypt]], [[Saudi Arabia|Kingdom of Saudi Arabia]], [[Kingdom of Yemen]], [[Second Syrian Republic|Syrian Republic]], [[Kingdom of Iraq|Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq]], [[Jordan|Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan]], [[Lebanon|Lebanese Republic]] and [[Palestine]]]]

The Arab League has not achieved much cooperation throughout its history. According to [[Michael N. Barnett|Michael Barnett]] and [[Etel Solingen]], the design of the Arab League reflects Arab leaders' individual concerns for regime survival: "the politics of Arab nationalism and a shared identity led Arab states to embrace the rhetoric of Arab unity in order to legitimize their regimes, and to fear Arab unity in practice because it would impose greater restrictions on their sovereignty."<ref name=":0"/> The Arab League was "specifically designed to fail at producing the kind of greater collaboration and integration that might have weakened political leaders at home."<ref name=":0"/>

==Geography==
{{main|Geography of the Arab world}}
[[File:Arab League members colored by joining date.svg|thumb|right|Joining dates of member states; the Comoros (circled) joined in 1993.<br />{{Color box|#f4eed7|border=darkgray}} 1940s {{Color box|#decd87|border=darkgray}} 1950s {{Color box|#c8ab37|border=darkgray}} 1960s {{Color box|#786721|border=darkgray}} 1970s]]
The Arab League member states cover over {{convert|13000000|sqkm|abbr=on}} and straddles two continents: [[Africa]] and [[Asia]]. The area largely consists of arid deserts, such as the [[Sahara]]. Nevertheless, it also contains several highly fertile lands like the [[Nile Valley]], the [[Jubba Valley]] and [[Shebelle Valley]] in the [[Horn of Africa]], the [[Atlas Mountains]] in the [[Maghreb]], and the [[Fertile Crescent]] that stretches over [[Mesopotamia]] and the [[Levant]]. The area comprises deep forests in southern [[Arabian Peninsula|Arabia]] and parts of the world's longest river, the [[Nile]].

==Membership==
{{main|Member states of the Arab League}}
The [[Charter of the Arab League]], also known as the Pact of the League of Arab States, is the founding treaty of the Arab League. Adopted in 1945, it stipulates that "the League of Arab States shall be composed of the independent Arab States that have signed this Pact."<ref name="yale"/>

In 1945, there were seven members,<ref name="Brittanica">{{Cite web |title=Arab League|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arab-League |website=Encyclopaedia Britannica|date=26 May 2024 }}</ref> but the Arab League now has 22 members, including 10 African countries:

{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
* {{flag|Algeria}}
* {{flag|Bahrain}}
* {{flag|Comoros}}
* {{flag|Djibouti}}
* {{flag|Egypt}}
* {{flag|Iraq}}
* {{flag|Jordan}}
* {{flag|Kuwait}}
* {{flag|Lebanon}}
* {{flag|Libya}}
* {{flag|Mauritania}}
* {{flag|Morocco}}
* {{flag|Oman}}
* {{flag|Palestine}}
* {{flag|Qatar}}
* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}
* {{flag|Somalia}}
* {{flag|Sudan}}
* {{flag|Syria}}
* {{flag|Tunisia}}
* {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}
* {{flag|Yemen}}
}}

and 7 observer states (note: the observer states below have been invited to participate during select Arab League sessions but do not hold voting privileges):
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
* {{flag|Armenia}}<ref name="Armenia">{{cite web| title = Armenia invited as observer for Arab League| publisher = Azad Hye| date = 19 January 2005| url = http://azad-hye.blogspot.ca/2005/01/observer-status-for-armenia-in-arab.html| access-date = 20 May 2014| archive-date = 21 April 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170421002247/http://azad-hye.blogspot.ca/2005/01/observer-status-for-armenia-in-arab.html| url-status = live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Brazil}}<ref name="Brazil">{{cite web| title = Brazil must be a facilitator in the Middle East, says VP| date = 14 August 2019| publisher = Brazil-Arab News Agency| url = https://anba.com.br/en/brazil-must-be-a-facilitator-in-the-middle-east-says-vp| access-date = 10 April 2020| archive-date = 11 August 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200811225601/https://anba.com.br/en/brazil-must-be-a-facilitator-in-the-middle-east-says-vp/| url-status = live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Chad}}<ref name="Chad">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2005/4/29/chad-to-join-arab-league-as-observer|title=Chad to join Arab League as observer|date=29 April 2005|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=20 November 2023|archive-date=23 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223174531/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2005/4/29/chad-to-join-arab-league-as-observer|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Eritrea}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theafricareport.com/25874/nile-dam-still-raging-despite-global-pause-for-covid-19/|title=Nile dam still raging, despite global pause for COVID-19|website=The Africa Report|date=8 April 2020|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022115243/https://www.theafricareport.com/25874/nile-dam-still-raging-despite-global-pause-for-covid-19/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Greece}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/07/12/greece-observer-arab-league/|title=Greece to become observer member of the Arab League|website=www.greekcitytimes.com|date=12 July 2021 |access-date=3 January 2024|archive-date=16 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016212406/https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/07/12/greece-observer-arab-league/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|India}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/12/india-and-the-arab-league-walking-the-trade-talk/|title=India and the Arab League: Walking the Trade Talk|website=thediplomat.com|date=21 December 2014|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219180907/https://thediplomat.com/2014/12/india-and-the-arab-league-walking-the-trade-talk/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Venezuela}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/30/world/meast/arab-league-fast-facts/index.html|title=Arab League Fast Facts|website=CNN|date=30 July 2013|access-date=21 August 2017|archive-date=5 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805005307/http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/30/world/meast/arab-league-fast-facts/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

=== Suspensions ===
[[Egypt]] was suspended from the Arab League on 26 March 1979 due to the [[Egypt–Israel peace treaty]], with the League's headquarters moving from Cairo to [[Tunis]], Tunisia. In 1987, Arab League states restored diplomatic relations with Egypt, the country was readmitted to the League in May 1989 and the League's headquarters were moved back to Cairo in September 1990.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 September 2008 |title=Timeline: Arab League |publisher=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/1550977.stm |access-date=30 November 2009 |archive-date=7 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307073047/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/1550977.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Libya]] was suspended on 22 February 2011, following the outbreak of the [[first Libyan civil war]].<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4032530,00.html | title= Libya suspended from Arab League sessions | website= Ynetnews.com | date= 1995-06-20 | access-date= 2014-04-28 | archive-date= 8 September 2019 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190908061834/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4032530,00.html | url-status= live }}</ref> The Arab League voted to restore Libya's membership on 27 August 2011 by accrediting a representative of the [[National Transitional Council]], which was the partially recognised interim government of the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Id=1700187&SM=1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120604155833/http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Id=1700187&SM=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 June 2012 |work= RTT News |date=25 August 2011 |access-date=25 August 2011 |title=Arab League Recognizes Libyan Rebel Council}}</ref>

[[Syria]] was suspended on 16 November 2011 in the aftermath of the outbreak of the [[Syrian civil war]]. On 6 March 2013, the Arab League gave Syria's seat in the Arab League to the [[Syrian National Coalition]], the largest [[Syrian opposition to Bashar al-Assad|opposition group]].<ref name="syriannationalcoalition">{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/26/syrian-opposition-appeals-nato-support|title= Syrian opposition takes Arab League seat|first= Ian|last= Black|work= The Guardian|date= 26 March 2013|access-date= 20 November 2014|archive-date= 21 August 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130821111815/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/26/syrian-opposition-appeals-nato-support|url-status= live}}</ref> On 9 March 2014, secretary general [[Nabil Elaraby]] stated that Syria's seat would remain vacant until the opposition completed the formation of its institutions.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Mar-09/249749-syria-opposition-not-yet-ready-for-arab-league-seat.ashx|title= Syria opposition 'not yet ready for Arab League seat'|work= The Daily Star Newspaper|place= Lebanon|access-date= 20 November 2014|archive-date= 10 March 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140310000406/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Mar-09/249749-syria-opposition-not-yet-ready-for-arab-league-seat.ashx|url-status= dead}}</ref> In 2021, the Arab League initiated a process of normalisation between the [[Ba'athist Syria|Syrian Ba'athist government]] and other Arab nations.<ref>[https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230308-saudi-arabia-talks-underway-on-syrias-return-to-arab-league/ "Saudi Arabia: Talks underway on Syria's return to Arab League"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315152236/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230308-saudi-arabia-talks-underway-on-syrias-return-to-arab-league/ |date=15 March 2023 }} ''middleeastmonitor''. Accessed 25 March 2023.</ref> On 7 May 2023, at the meeting of the [[Council of the Arab League]] in Cairo, it was agreed to reinstate Syria's membership.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/05/07/Arab-foreign-ministers-to-discuss-Syria-s-return-to-Arab-League-Sudan-conflict|title=Arab foreign ministers agree to readmit Syria to the Arab League|publisher=[[Al Arabiya]]|date=7 May 2023|access-date=7 May 2023|archive-date=18 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518204743/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/05/07/Arab-foreign-ministers-to-discuss-Syria-s-return-to-Arab-League-Sudan-conflict|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Politics and administration==
{{main|Politics of the Arab League}}
{{see also|Charter of the Arab League|Council of the Arab League|Arab Parliament|Foreign relations of the Arab League}}
[[File:Arab Leage HQ 977.PNG|thumb|Headquarters of the Arab League, [[Cairo]].]]
[[File:Israel-Palestine Diplomacy.svg|thumb|
{{legend|#cdcd9c|Recognition of both [[Israel]] and Palestinian State}}
{{legend|#FF4500|Recognition of Palestinian State only}}]]
The Arab League is a political organization which tries to help integrate its members economically, and solve conflicts involving member states without asking for foreign assistance. It possesses elements of a state representative parliament while foreign affairs are often conducted under UN supervision.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID%3D36214%26URL_DO%3DDO_PRINTPAGE%26URL_SECTION%3D201.html|title=The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALESCO)|access-date=31 March 2024|archive-date=27 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627041350/http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID%3D36214%26URL_DO%3DDO_PRINTPAGE%26URL_SECTION%3D201.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Charter of the Arab League<ref name="yale"/> endorsed the principle of an [[Pan-Arabism|Arab nation-state]] while respecting the [[sovereignty]] of the individual member states. The internal regulations of the Council of the League<ref name="haynes">{{cite web |title=Internal Regulations of the Council of the League of Arab States |work=Model League of Arab States |publisher=Ed Haynes, [[Winthrop University]] |date=6 April 1998 |url=http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/mlas/CouncilRegs.html |access-date=9 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406061423/http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/mlas/CouncilRegs.html |archive-date=6 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the committees<ref name="haynes2">{{cite web |title=Internal Regulations of the Committees of the League of Arab States |work=Model League of Arab States |publisher=Ed Haynes, Winthrop University |date=6 April 1998 |url=http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/mlas/CmteeRegs.html |access-date=9 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406075743/http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/mlas/CmteeRegs.html |archive-date=6 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> were agreed in October 1951. Those of the Secretariat-General were agreed in May 1953.<ref name="haynes3">{{cite web |title=Internal Regulations of the Secretariat-General of the League |work=Model League of Arab States |publisher=Ed Haynes, Winthrop University |date=6 April 1998 |url=http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/mlas/SecGenRegs.html |access-date=9 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406064006/http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/mlas/SecGenRegs.html |archive-date=6 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Since then, governance of the Arab League has been based on the duality of supra-national institutions and the sovereignty of the member states. Preservation of individual statehood derived its strengths from the natural preference of ruling elites to maintain their power and independence in decision making. Moreover, the fear of the richer that the poorer may share their wealth in the name of [[Arab nationalism]], the [[Arab Cold War|feuds among Arab rulers]], and the influence of external powers that might oppose Arab unity can be seen as obstacles towards a deeper integration of the league.

Mindful of their previous announcements in support of the [[Arabs]] of [[Palestine]] the framers of the Pact were determined to include them within the League from its inauguration.<ref name=geddes>Geddes, 1991, p. 208.</ref> This was done by means of an annex that declared:<ref name="yale"/>
{{cquote|Even though Palestine was not able to control her own destiny, it was on the basis of the recognition of her independence that the Covenant of the League of Nations determined a system of government for her. Her existence and her independence among the nations can, therefore, no more be questioned ''de jure'' than the independence of any of the other Arab States. [...] Therefore, the States signatory to the Pact of the Arab League consider that in view of Palestine's special circumstances, the Council of the League should designate an Arab delegate from Palestine to participate in its work until this country enjoys actual independence}}

In September 1963, the Arab League appointed [[Ahmad Shukeiri]] as Representative of Palestine at the Arab League.<ref name=":32">{{Cite book |last=Har-El |first=Shai |title=China and the Palestinian Organizations: 1964–1971 |date=2024 |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |isbn=978-3-031-57827-4 |location=}}</ref>{{Rp|page=xxviii}} At the Cairo Summit of 1964, the Arab League initiated the creation of an organisation representing the Palestinian people. The first [[Palestinian National Council]] convened in [[East Jerusalem]] on 29 May 1964. The [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] was founded during this meeting on 2 June 1964. Palestine was shortly admitted in to the Arab League, represented by the PLO. Today, [[State of Palestine]] is a full member of the Arab League.

At the [[Beirut Summit]] on 28 March 2002, the league adopted the [[Arab Peace Initiative]],<ref name="al-bab">{{cite web|author=Council of Arab States |title=The Arab Peace Initiative, 2002 |publisher=al bab |date=1 October 2005 |url=http://www.al-bab.com/arab/docs/league/peace02.htm |access-date=9 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604091304/http://www.al-bab.com/arab/docs/league/peace02.htm |archive-date=4 June 2009 }}</ref> a Saudi-inspired peace plan for the [[Arab–Israeli conflict]]. The initiative offered full normalisation of the relations with [[Israel]]. In exchange, Israel was required to withdraw from all [[Israeli-occupied territories|occupied territories]], including the [[Golan Heights]], to recognise Palestinian independence in the [[West Bank]] and [[Gaza Strip]], with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as a "just solution" for the [[Palestinian refugees]]. The Peace Initiative was again endorsed at 2007 in the Riyadh Summit. In July 2007, the Arab League sent a mission, consisting of the [[Jordan]]ian and [[Egypt]]ian foreign ministers, to Israel to promote the initiative. Following [[Venezuela]]'s move to expel Israeli diplomats amid the [[2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict]], [[Kuwait]]i member of parliament [[Waleed Al-Tabtabaie]] proposed moving Arab League headquarters to [[Caracas, Venezuela|Caracas]], [[Venezuela]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-13536--12-12--.html|title=Kuwaiti MP calls to move Arab league to Venezuela|access-date=16 January 2009|date=15 January 2009|work=AFP, via CaribbeanNetNews|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304230647/http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-13536--12-12--.html|archive-date=4 March 2009}}</ref> On 13 June 2010, Amr Mohammed Moussa, Secretary-General of the Arab League, visited the [[Gaza Strip]], the first visit by an official of the Arab League since Hamas' armed takeover in 2007.

The Arab League is a member of the [[China-Arab States Cooperation Forum]] (CASCF), which was formed in 2004. CASCF is the Arab League's earliest participation in a cooperation forum with another country or region.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Murphy |first=Dawn C. |title=China's rise in the Global South : the Middle East, Africa, and Beijing's alternative world order |date=2022 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-1-5036-3060-4 |location=Stanford, California |pages=58 |oclc=1249712936}}</ref> CASCF is the primarily multi-lateral coordination mechanism between the Arab states and China and within CASCF the Arab League represents its member states as a relatively unified force.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Murphy |first=Dawn C. |title=China's rise in the Global South : the Middle East, Africa, and Beijing's alternative world order |date=2022 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-1-5036-3060-4 |location=Stanford, California |pages=57 |oclc=1249712936}}</ref> The Arab League's coordination allows Arab states to negotiate actively for collective projects involving multiple states, such as railway projects, nuclear power projects, and Dead Sea initiatives.<ref name=":1" />

In 2015, the Arab League voiced support for [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen|Saudi Arabian-led military intervention in Yemen]] against the [[Zaidiyyah|Shia Houthis]] and forces loyal to former President [[Ali Abdullah Saleh]], who was deposed in the [[Yemeni Revolution|2011 uprising]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-joint-arab-military-force-20150329-story.html|agency=Los Angeles Times|title=Arab League's joint military force is a 'defining moment' for region|date=29 March 2015|first1=Christina|last1=Boyle|first2=Zaid|last2=al-Alayaa|access-date=5 July 2016|archive-date=6 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206150057/https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-joint-arab-military-force-20150329-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 15 April 2018, in response to the [[Operation Olive Branch|Turkish invasion of northern Syria]] aimed at ousting U.S.-backed [[People's Protection Units|Syrian Kurds]] from the enclave of [[Afrin, Syria|Afrin]], the Arab League passed a resolution calling on Turkish forces to withdraw from Afrin.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turkey slams Arab League resolution on Afrin operation|url=https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-slams-arab-league-resolution-on-afrin-operation-3329296|publisher=Yeni Safak|date=18 April 2018|access-date=30 April 2018|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726102004/https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-slams-arab-league-resolution-on-afrin-operation-3329296|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2019, the Arab League condemned [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]'s plans to [[Annexation|annex]] the eastern portion of the occupied [[West Bank]] known as the [[Jordan Valley]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Arab nations condemn Netanyahu's Jordan Valley annexation plan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49657915 |work=BBC News |date=11 September 2019 |access-date=18 September 2019 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804235349/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49657915 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Arab League met in Cairo on 12 October 2019 to discuss [[2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria|Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria]]. Upon meeting, its member states voted to condemn the Turkish offensive, dubbing it both an 'invasion' and an 'aggression' against an Arab state, adding that the organization saw it as a violation of international law.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-arableague-turkey-syria-idUSKBN1WR0C9|title=Turkey's Syria offensive an 'invasion': Arab League secretary general|date=2019-10-12|work=Reuters|language=en|access-date=13 October 2019|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414054524/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-arableague-turkey-syria-idUSKBN1WR0C9|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 9 September 2020, the Arab League refused to condemn the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]]'s decision to [[Israel–United Arab Emirates peace agreement|normalize ties with Israel]]. Nevertheless, "The goal all our Arab countries seek, without exception, is to end the occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital," [[Ahmed Aboul Gheit|Aboul Gheit]] said.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/09/arab-league-ministers-agree-condemn-uae-israel-deal-200909141524785.html|title=Arab League: Ministers agree not to condemn UAE-Israel deal|date=September 9, 2020|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=11 September 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115060530/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/09/09/arab-league-ministers-agree-not-to-condemn-uae-israel-deal/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2024, the Arab League expressed support for South Africa's [[South Africa v. Israel (Genocide Convention)|ICJ genocide case]] against Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Genocide case against Israel: Where does the rest of the world stand on the momentous allegations? |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/515627.aspx |work=[[Al-Ahram]] |date=13 January 2024}}</ref>

==List of summits==
[[File:Arab League Summit Logo.png|right|thumb|[[Arab League Summit 2013|2013 Arab League Summit]] Logo]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! No. !! Date !! Host Country!!Host City
|-
| [[1964 Arab League summit (Cairo)|1]] || 13–17 January 1964 || {{flag|United Arab Republic}} ||[[Cairo]]
|-
| [[1964 Arab League summit (Alexandria)|2]] || 5–11 September 1964 || {{flag|United Arab Republic}} ||[[Alexandria]]
|-
| [[1965 Arab League summit|3]] || 13–17 September 1965 || {{flag|Morocco}} ||[[Casablanca]]
|-
| [[1967 Arab League summit|4]] || 29 August 1967 || {{flag|Sudan|1956}} ||[[Khartoum]]
|-
| [[1968 Arab League summit|5]]|| 21–23 December 1969 || {{flag|Morocco}} ||[[Rabat]]
|-
| [[1973 Arab League summit|6]]|| 26–28 November 1973 || {{flag|Algeria}} ||[[Algiers]]
|-
| [[1974 Arab League summit|7]] || 29 October 1974 || {{flag|Morocco}} ||[[Rabat]]
|-
| [[1976 Arab League summit (Cairo)|8]] || 25–26 October 1976 || {{flag|Egypt|1972}} ||[[Cairo]]
|-
| [[1978 Arab League summit|9]] || 2–5 November 1978 || {{flag|Ba'athist Iraq|1963|name=Iraq}}||[[Baghdad]]
|-
| [[1979 Arab League summit|10]]|| 20–22 November 1979 || {{flag|Tunisia}} ||[[Tunis]]
|-
| [[1980 Arab League summit|11]]|| 21–22 November 1980 || {{flag|Jordan}} ||[[Amman]]
|-
| [[1982 Arab League summit|12]]|| 6–9 September 1982 || {{flag|Morocco}} ||[[Fez, Morocco|Fes]]
|-
| [[1985 Arab League summit|13]]|| 1985 || {{flag|Morocco}} ||[[Casablanca]]
|-
| [[1987 Arab League summit|14]] || 1987 || {{flag|Jordan}} ||[[Amman]]
|-
|[[1988 Arab League summit|15]]  || June 1988 || {{flag|Algeria}} ||[[Algiers]]
|-
| [[1989 Arab League summit|16]]|| 1989 || {{flag|Morocco}} ||[[Casablanca]]
|-
| [[1990 Arab League summit|17]]|| 1990 || {{flag|Ba'athist Iraq|1963|name=Iraq}}||[[Baghdad]]
|-
| [[1996 Arab League summit|18]]|| 1996 || {{flag|Egypt}} ||[[Cairo]]
|-
| [[2001 Arab League summit|19]]|| 27–28 March 2001 || {{flag|Jordan}} ||[[Amman]]
|-
| [[2002 Arab League summit|20]] || 27–28 March 2002 || {{flag|Lebanon}} ||[[Beirut]]
|-
| [[2003 Arab League summit|21]]|| 1 March 2003 || {{flag|Egypt}} ||[[Sharm el-Sheikh]]
|-
| [[2004 Arab League summit|22]]|| 22–23 May 2004 || {{flag|Tunisia}} ||[[Tunis]]
|-
| [[2005 Arab League summit|23]] || 22–23 March 2005 || {{flag|Algeria}} ||[[Algiers]]
|-
| [[2006 Arab League summit|24]] || 28–30 March 2006 || {{flag|Sudan}} ||[[Khartoum]]
|-
| [[2007 Arab League summit|25]] || 27–28 March 2007 || {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} ||[[Riyadh]]
|-
| [[2008 Arab League summit|26]] || 29–30 March 2008 || {{flag|Ba'athist Syria|1980|name=Syria}}||[[Damascus]]
|-
| [[2009 Arab League summit|27]] || 28–30 March 2009 || {{flag|Qatar}} ||[[Doha]]
|-
| [[2010 Arab League summit|28]] || 27–28 March 2010 || {{flag|Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya|1977|name=Libya}}||[[Sirte]]
|-
| [[2012 Arab League summit|29]] || 27–29 March 2012 || {{flag|Iraq}} ||[[Baghdad]]
|-
| [[2013 Arab League summit|30]] || 21–27 March 2013 || {{flag|Qatar}} ||[[Doha]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arab League Summit 2013|url=http://qatarconferences.org/arableaguesummit2013/|access-date=2023-02-10|website=qatarconferences.org|archive-date=4 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004164041/http://qatarconferences.org/arableaguesummit2013/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[2014 Arab League summit|31]]|| 25–26 March 2014 || {{flag|Kuwait}} ||[[Kuwait City]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mater|first=Jassim|title=Summit hit by new rifts|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2014/3/23/arab-league-summit-hit-by-new-rifts|access-date=2023-02-10|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en|archive-date=10 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210134045/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2014/3/23/arab-league-summit-hit-by-new-rifts|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[2015 Arab League summit|32]]|| 28–29 March 2015 || {{flag|Egypt}} ||[[Sharm El Sheikh]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Opposition fail to get Syria Arab League seat|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2014/3/27/opposition-fail-to-get-syria-arab-league-seat|access-date=2023-02-10|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en|archive-date=10 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210134043/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2014/3/27/opposition-fail-to-get-syria-arab-league-seat|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[2016 Arab League summit|33]] || 20 July 2016 || {{flag|Mauritania|1959}} ||[[Nouakchott]]
|-
| [[2017 Arab League summit|34]] || 23–29 March 2017 || {{flag|Jordan}} ||[[Amman]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/2016/11/02/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B6%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B3.html|title=الأردن يستضيف القمة العربية في مارس|website=www.alarabiya.net|date=November 2016|access-date=2 November 2016|archive-date=3 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103131757/https://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/2016/11/02/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B6%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B3.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[2018 Arab League summit|35]] || 15 April 2018 || {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} ||[[Dhahran]]
|-
| [[2019 Arab League summit|36]]|| 31 March 2019 || {{flag|Tunisia}} ||[[Tunis]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/47928/Tunisia-to-host-next-Arab-summit|title=Tunisia to host next Arab summit|website=EgyptToday|date=15 April 2018|access-date=23 May 2020|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510130506/https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/47928/Tunisia-to-host-next-Arab-summit|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[2022 Arab League summit|37]] || 1 November 2022 || {{flag|Algeria}} ||[[Algiers]]
|-
| [[2023 Arab League summit|38]] || 19 May 2023 || {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} ||[[Jeddah]]
|-
| [[2024 Arab League summit|39]] || 16 May 2024 || {{flag|Bahrain}} ||[[Manama]]
|-
|[[2025 Arab League summit|40]]
|17 May 2025
|{{flag|Iraq}}
|[[Baghdad]]
|}

===Emergency summits===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! No. !! Date !! Host Country!!Host City
|-
| [[1970 Arab League summit|1]] || 21–27 September 1970 || {{flag|United Arab Republic|1958}}|| [[Cairo]]
|-
| [[1976 Arab League summit (Riyadh)|2]] || 17–28 October 1976 || {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} ||[[Riyadh]]
|-
| 3 || 7–9 September 1985 || {{flag|Morocco}}|| [[Casablanca]]
|-
| 4 || 8–12 November 1987 || {{flag|Jordan}} ||[[Amman]]
|-
| 5 || 7–9 June 1988 || {{flag|Algeria}} ||[[Algiers]]
|-
| 6 || 23–26 June 1989 || {{flag|Morocco}} ||[[Casablanca]]
|-
| 7 || 28–30 May 1990 || {{flag|Ba'athist Iraq|1963|name=Iraq}}||[[Baghdad]]
|-
| 8 || 9–10 August 1990 || {{flag|Egypt}}|| [[Cairo]]
|-
| 9 || 22–23 June 1996 ||{{flag|Egypt}}|| [[Cairo]]
|-
| 10 || 21–22 October 2000 || {{flag|Egypt}}|| [[Cairo]]
|-
| 11 || 7 January 2016 || {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}|| [[Riyadh]]
|-
| [[2023 Arab–Islamic extraordinary summit|12]] || 11 November 2023 || {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}|| [[Riyadh]]
|-
| 13 || 4 March 2025 || {{flag|Egypt}}|| [[Cairo]]
|-
|}
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Two summits are not added to the system of Arab League summits:
** [[Anshas]], Egypt: 28–29 May 1946.
** Beirut, Lebanon: 13&nbsp;– 15 November 1958.
* Summit 12 in Fes, Morocco, occurred in two stages:
** On 25 November 1981: the 5-hour meeting ended without an agreement on document.
** On 6–9 September 1982.
{{colend}}

==Military==
{{Main|Military of the Arab League}}
The Joint Defence Council of the Arab League is one of the [[Institutions of the Arab League]].<ref name="ABC-CLIO">{{cite web|title=Arab-Israeli Wars: 60 Years of Conflict|url=http://www.historyandtheheadlines.abc-clio.com/ContentPages/ContentPage.aspx?entryId=1281297|publisher=ABC-CLIO|access-date=30 June 2014|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180215/http://www.historyandtheheadlines.abc-clio.com/ContentPages/ContentPage.aspx?entryId=1281297|url-status=live}}</ref> It was established under the terms of the [[Joint Defence and Economic Co-operation Treaty]] of 1950 to coordinate the [[Collective security|joint defence]] of the Arab League [[Member states of the Arab League|member states]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Osmańczyk|first=Edmund Jan|author-link=Edmund Osmańczyk|chapter=League of Arab States|title=Encyclopedia of the United Nations and international agreements|editor-last=Mango|editor-first=Anthony|volume=2|edition=3|page=1290|place=New York|publisher=Routledge|year=2003}}</ref>

The Arab League as an organisation has no military Force, similar to the UN, but at the 2007 summit, the Leaders decided to reactivate their joint defence and establish a peacekeeping force to deploy in South Lebanon, Darfur, Iraq, and other hot spots.

At a 2015 summit in Egypt, member states agreed in principle to form a joint military force.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/mideast-arabs-communique-idUSL6N0WV03T20150329|title=Arab summit agrees on unified military force for crises|work=Reuters|date=29 March 2015|access-date=10 July 2021|archive-date=22 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022201840/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/29/mideast-arabs-communique-idUSL6N0WV03T20150329|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Economic resources==
{{Main|Economy of the Arab League}}
{{See also|List of countries by GDP (PPP)|List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita}}
The Arab League is rich in resources, such as enormous [[oil]] and [[natural gas]] resources in certain member states.

Economic achievements initiated by the League amongst member states have been less impressive than those achieved by smaller Arab organisations such as the [[Gulf Cooperation Council]] (GCC).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2041155720081120|title=Reuters.com|work=Reuters|date=20 November 2008|access-date=20 November 2014|archive-date=9 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109095845/https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2041155720081120|url-status=live}}</ref> Among them is the [[Arab Gas Pipeline]], that will transport Egyptian and Iraqi gas to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey. As of 2013, a significant difference in economic conditions exist between the developed oil states of [[Algeria]], [[Qatar]], [[Kuwait]] and the [[UAE]], and developing countries like the [[Comoros]], [[Djibouti]], [[Mauritania]], [[Somalia]], [[Sudan]] and [[Yemen]].

[[File:OAPEC Members.png|thumb|right|[[OAPEC]] Members]]
The Arab League also includes great fertile lands in the southern part of [[Sudan]]. It is referred to as the food basket of the [[Arab World]], the region's instability including the independence of [[South Sudan]] has not affected its [[tourism]] industry, that is considered the fastest growing industry in the region, with [[Egypt]], [[UAE]], [[Lebanon]], [[Tunisia]], and [[Jordan]] leading the way. Another industry that is growing steadily in the Arab League is telecommunications.

Economical achievements within members have been low in the league's history, other smaller Arab Organizations have achieved more than the league has, such as the [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf|GCC]], but lately several major economic projects that are promising are to be completed, the [[Arab Gas Pipeline]] is to end by 2010, Connecting Egyptian and Iraqi Gas to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, and then to Turkey thus Europe, a free trade Agreement ([[Greater Arab Free Trade Area|GAFTA]]) is to be completed by 1 January 2008, making 95% of all Arab products tax free of customs.

===Transport===
The Arab League is divided into five parts when it comes to transport, with the [[Arabian Peninsula]] and the [[Near East]] being entirely connected by air, sea, roads and railways. Another part of the League is the [[Nile Valley]], made up of [[Egypt]] and [[Sudan]]. These two member states have started to improve the River Nile's navigation system to improve accessibility and thus foster trading. A new railway system is also set to connect the southern Egyptian city of [[Abu Simbel]] with the northern Sudanese city of [[Wadi Halfa]] and then to [[Khartoum]] and [[Port Sudan]]. The third division of the League is the [[Maghreb]], where a 3,000&nbsp;km stretch of railway runs from the southern cities of [[Morocco]] to [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]] in Western [[Libya]]. The fourth division of the League is the [[Horn of Africa]], whose member states include [[Djibouti]] and [[Somalia]]. These two Arab League states are separated by only ten nautical miles from the Arabian Peninsula by the [[Bab el Mandeb]] and this is quickly changing as Tarik bin Laden, the brother of [[Osama bin Laden]], has initiated the construction of the ambitious [[Bridge of the Horns]] project, which ultimately aims to connect the [[Horn of Africa]] with the [[Arabian Peninsula]] via a massive bridge. The project is intended to facilitate and accelerate the already centuries-old trade and commerce between the two regions. The last division of the League is the isolated archipelago of the [[Comoros]] located off the coast of [[East Africa]], which is not physically connected to any other Arab state, but still trades with other Arab League members.

==Literacy==
{{main|List of countries by literacy rate}}

In collecting literacy data, many countries estimate the number of literate people based on self-reported data. Some use educational attainment data as a proxy, but measures of school attendance or grade completion may differ. Because definitions and data collection methods vary across countries, literacy estimates should be used with caution. [[United Nations Development Programme]], [[Human Development Report]] 2010. The [[Persian Gulf]] region has had an [[oil boom]], enabling more schools and universities to be set up.

{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Rank !! Country !! [[Literacy]] rate
|-
|  1 || {{flag|Qatar}}        || 97.3<ref name="cia.gov">{{Cite web|date=2007-06-13|title=CIA – The World Factbook – Field Listing – Literacy|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2103.html|access-date=2023-02-10|archive-date=13 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613003138/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2103.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
|-
|  2 || {{flag|Palestine}}    || 96.5<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
|  3 || {{flag|Kuwait}}       || 96.3<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
|  4 || {{flag|Bahrain}}      || 95.7<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
|  5 || {{flag|Jordan}}       || 95.4<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
|  6 || {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} || 94.4<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
|  7 || {{flag|Lebanon}}      || 93.9<ref name="cia.gov"/>
|-
|  8 || {{flag|United Arab Emirates}} ||  93.8<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
| 9 || {{flag|Oman}}          || 91.1<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
|  10 || {{flag|Libya}}       || 91<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
| 11 || {{flag|Syria}}        || 86.4<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
| 12 || {{flag|Iraq}}         || 85.7<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
| 13 || {{flag|Tunisia}}      || 81.8<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
| 14 || {{flag|Comoros}}      || 81.8<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
| 15 || {{flag|Algeria}}      || 80.2<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
| 16 || {{flag|Sudan}}        || 75.9<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
| 17 || {{flag|Egypt}}        || 73.8<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
| 18 || {{flag|Yemen}}        || 70.1<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
| 19 || {{flag|Djibouti}}     || 70.0<ref name="Pcaotw">{{cite book|last=DK Publishing|title=Compact Atlas of the World|date=2012|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-0756698591|page=138|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pLw-ReHIgvQC|access-date=22 March 2023|archive-date=11 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011033725/http://www.google.com/books?id=pLw-ReHIgvQC|url-status=live}}</ref> 
|-
| 20 || {{flag|Morocco}}      || 68.5<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
| 21 || {{flag|Mauritania}}   || 52.1<ref name="cia.gov"/> 
|-
| 22 || {{flag|Somalia}}      || 44–72<ref>{{cite web|title=Family Ties: Remittances and Livelihoods Support in Puntland and Somaliland|url=http://www.fsnau.org/downloads/Remittances-and-Livelihoods-Support-in-Puntland-and-Somaliland.pdf#6|publisher=FSNAU|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027100854/https://www.fsnau.org/downloads/Remittances-and-Livelihoods-Support-in-Puntland-and-Somaliland.pdf#6|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|}

==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of the Arab world}}
While [[Egyptians]] constitute the largest ethnic group in the Arab League, there are several other ethnic groups that also reside in the region, including [[Arabs]], [[Berbers]], [[Kurds]], [[Somalis]], [[Assyrian people|Assyrians]], [[Armenians]], [[Nubians]], [[Mandaeans]], and [[Circassians]]. Each of these groups have their own distinct cultures, languages, and traditions. As of 1 July 2013, about 359 million people live in the states of the Arab League. Its population grows faster than in most other global regions. The most populous member state is [[Egypt]], with a population of over 100 million.<ref name="Central Agency for Public Mobilization And Statistics">{{cite web |title=Central Agency for Public Mobilization And Statistics |url=http://www.capmas.gov.eg/HomePage.aspx |access-date=6 June 2020 |archive-date=6 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206110940/http://www.capmas.gov.eg/HomePage.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> The least populated is the [[Comoros]], with approximately 850,000 inhabitants.

{| style="font-size:95%; text-align:right;" class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Rank !! Country !! Population !! Density (/km<sup>2</sup>) !! Density (sq mi) !! Notes
|-
| 1 || align=left|{{flag|Egypt}} || 109,450,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 109450000 / 1001449 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 2 || align=left|{{flag|Sudan}} || 50,418,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 50418000 / 1886068 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 3 || align=left|{{flag|Algeria}} || 47,251,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 47251000 / 2381741 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 4 || align=left|{{flag|Iraq}} || 45,521,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 45521000 / 446550 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 5 || align=left|{{flag|Yemen}} || 41,774,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 41774000 / 527968 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 6 || align=left|{{flag|Morocco}} || 37,712,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 37712000 / 438317 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 7 || align=left|{{flag|Saudi Arabia}} || 36,006,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 36006000 / 2149690 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 8 || align=left|{{flag|Syria}} || 21,393,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 21393000 / 185180 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2010<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 9 || align=left|{{flag|Somalia}} || 16,963,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 16963000 / 637657 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 10 || align=left|{{flag|Tunisia}} || 12,432,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 12432000 / 163610 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 11 || align=left|{{flag|Jordan}} || 11,442,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 11442000 / 89342 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 12 || align=left|{{flag|United Arab Emirates}} || 11,083,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 11083000 / 83600 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 13 || align=left|{{flag|Libya}} || 6,982,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 6982000 / 1789540 round 1}}|/km2|1|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 14 || align=left|{{flag|Oman}} || 5,502,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 5502000 / 309500 round 1}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 15 || align=left|{{flag|Palestine}} || 5,477,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 5477000 / 6020 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2023<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 16 || align=left|{{flag|Lebanon}} || 5,354,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 5354000 / 10452 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2024<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 17 || align=left|{{flag|Kuwait}} || 5,112,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 5112000 / 17818 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 18 || align=left|{{flag|Mauritania}} || 4,629,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 4629000 / 1025520 round 1}}|/km2|1|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 19 || align=left|{{flag|Qatar}} || 3,109,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 3109000 / 11000 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 20 || align=left|{{flag|Bahrain}} || 1,657,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 1657000 / 750 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 21 || align=left|{{flag|Djibouti}} || 1,056,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 1056000 / 23200 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-
| 22 || align=left|{{flag|Comoros}} || 910,000 || {{convert|{{#expr: 910000 / 2235 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}} || align=left|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|-

|- class="sortbottom"
| '''Total''' || align=left|{{flag|Arab League}} || ''' 481,233,000 ''' || '''{{#expr: 481233000 / 13181059 round 1}}''' || '''{{convert|{{#expr: 481233000 / 13181059 round 1}}|/km2|/sqmi|1|disp=output number only}}'''
|2025<ref name="IMFAPR2025" />
|}

===Religion===
The majority of the Arab League's citizens adhere to [[Islam]], with [[Christianity]] being the second largest religion. At least 15 million Christians combined live in [[Egypt]], [[Iraq]], [[Jordan]], [[Lebanon]], [[Palestine]], [[Sudan]] and [[Syria]]. In addition, there are smaller but significant numbers of [[Druze]], [[Yazidis]], [[Shabak people|Shabaks]] and [[Mandaeans]]. Numbers for nonreligious [[Arabs]] are generally not available, but research by the [[Pew Forum]] suggests around 1% of people in the [[MENA]] region are "unaffiliated".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2014/04/04/global-religious-diversity/|title=Religious Diversity Around The World|date=4 April 2014|work=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project|access-date=9 September 2014|archive-date=5 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405213639/http://www.pewforum.org/2014/04/04/global-religious-diversity/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Languages===
The official language of the Arab League is [[Modern Standard Arabic|Literary Arabic]], based on [[Classical Arabic]]. However, several Arab League member states have other co-official or national languages, such as [[Somali language|Somali]], [[Afar language|Afar]], [[Comorian language|Comorian]], [[French language|French]], [[English language|English]], [[Berber languages|Berber]] and [[Kurdish languages|Kurdish]]. In most countries, there is a dominant non-[[codification (linguistics)|codified]] [[varieties of Arabic|spoken Arabic dialect]].

==Culture==
===Sports===
{{Main|Sport policies of the Arab League}}
The [[Pan-Arab Games]] are considered the biggest Arab sporting event, which brings together athletes from all the Arab countries to participate in a variety of different sports.

The [[Union of Arab Football Associations]] organises the [[Arab Cup]] (for national teams) and the [[Arab Club Champions Cup]] (for clubs). Arab sport federations also exist for several games, include [[basketball]], [[volleyball]], [[team handball|handball]], [[table tennis]], [[tennis]], [[Squash (sport)|squash]] and [[swimming (sport)|swimming]].{{citation needed|date=September 2014}}

==See also==
{{Div col|colwidth=27em}}
*[[Arab Charter on Human Rights]]
*[[Arab Cold War]]
*[[Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development]] (AFESD)
* [[Arab leaders]]
*[[Arab League and the Arab–Israeli conflict]]
*[[Arab League boycott of Israel]]
*[[Arab Maghreb Union]] (UMA)
*[[Arab Monetary Fund]]
*[[Arab Organization for Industrialization]]
*[[Arab Parliament]]
*[[Arab Union]]
*[[Bloudan Conference (1937)|Bloudan Conference of 1937]]
*[[Bloudan Conference of 1946]]
*[[Council of Arab Economic Unity]] (CAEU)
*[[Flag of the Arab League]]
*[[General Arab Insurance Federation]]
*[[General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries]]
*[[Gulf Cooperation Council]] (GCC)
*[[Inshas]]
*[[International Association of Arabic Dialectology]] (AIDA)
*[[International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions]]
*[[List of conflicts in the Arab League]]
*[[List of country groupings]]
*[[List of largest cities in the Arab world]]
*[[List of multilateral free-trade agreements]]
*[[Lists of the Arab League]]
*[[Model Arab League]]
*[[International Motor Insurance Card System#Orange card system|Orange card system]] – motor insurance scheme of the Arab League
*[[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]]
*[[Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries]] (OAPEC)
*[[OPEC|Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries]] (OPEC)
*[[Pan Arab Games]]
*[[Pan-Arabism]]
*[[Summit of South American-Arab Countries]]
*[[United Arab Command]]
*[[Arab Standardization and Metrology Organization]]
{{colend}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikisource|Arab League Pact}}
{{Commons}}
* {{in lang|ar}} [http://www.lasportal.org/ The League of Arab States] (official site).
* {{in lang|en}} [http://arableague-us.org/wp/ League of Arab States Office] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231152601/https://arableague-us.org/wp/ |date=31 December 2021 }} in Washington D.C.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041016021558/http://www.al-bab.com/arab/docs/league.htm The League of Arab States] at [[Al-Bab.com]]
* [http://www.cfr.org/middle-east/arab-league/p25967 The Arab League] at [[Council on Foreign Relations]]
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/country_profiles/1550797.stm Profile: Arab League], ''[[BBC News]]'', updated 9 August 2011
* <!-- {{Bloombergtopic|arab-league}} -->
* {{JPosttopic|Arab_League}}
* {{NYTtopic|organizations/a/arab_league}}

{{Arab League |expanded}}
{{Regional organizations}}
{{Countries and languages lists}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Arab League}}
[[Category:Arab League| ]]
[[Category:Pan-Arabism|League]]
[[Category:International organizations based in Africa]]
[[Category:International organizations based in Asia]]
[[Category:International organizations based in the Middle East]]
[[Category:Supranational unions]]
[[Category:Intergovernmental organizations established by treaty]]
[[Category:Anti-Israeli sentiment in Africa]]
[[Category:Anti-Israeli sentiment in Asia]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Cairo]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1945]]
[[Category:1945 establishments in Africa]]
[[Category:1945 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:1945 establishments in Egypt]]
[[Category:1940s in Islam]]