May 23, 2013
The week's top five must-sees,
delivered to your inbox.
Features include interactive map, in-depth stories, and more.
Download now. »
The week's top five must-sees,
delivered to your inbox.
|
Description
The League of Arab States, commonly called the Arab League, is a regional organization of Arab states in and around North Africa and Southwest Asia. It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Yemen joined as a member on 5 May 1945. Currently, the League has 22 members, although Syria's participation has been suspended since November 2011 as a consequence of government repression during the ongoing uprising and civil war.
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".
Through institutions such as the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization and the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League's Council of Arab Economic Unity, the Arab League facilitates political, economic, cultural, scientific and social programs designed to promote the interests of the Arab world. It has served as a forum for the member states to coordinate their policy positions, to deliberate on matters of common concern, to settle some Arab disputes, and to 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 sets out the principles for economic activities in the region.
(via Freebase)
|
![Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood calls for mass protests in solidarity with Gaza [BBC Arabic, UK]](/images/image_cache/base-14201000/14201971/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=7a443957cc623d0ac762dd5f98768513)
![US 'stands by Israeli partners' as world condemns attacks on Gaza [Press TV, Iran]](/images/image_cache/base-14196000/14196175/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=c2450ef6b2510849719d5b1f63fbed51)
![Arab League recognizes new Syrian opposition coalition as explosion rocks Damascus suburb [New TV, Lebanon]](/images/image_cache/base-14146000/14146528/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=787a22aa6db16d7fc6efef7a13f0581e)
![Nasrallah: Hezbollah capable of deterring Israel from attacking Lebanon [Press TV, Iran]](/images/image_cache/base-14101000/14101482/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=b75b944de44a50f946d391b30058f96f)
