Sixty-fourth anniversary of the establishment of the United Arab Republic (1958 – 1961)

Prof. Dr. Moustafa El-abdallah Al Kafry
2022 / 12 / 7

Introduction:
Arab unity was and still is a dream for most Arab citizens, and the Egyptian-Syrian unity came in response to the desires of the Egyptian and Syrian peoples, within the framework of the pressing international atmosphere, and the events that took place in the Arab world, from the nationalization of the Suez Canal, the tripartite aggression against Egypt, the Turkish military build-up on the Syrian border, to the establishment of the Baghdad Pact, and the increase in conspiracies and intrigues in the Arab region. Since the days of the government of Sabri al-Asali in Syria, Michel Aflaq, one of the leaders of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, insisted the ministerial statement of the government should include a call for Syrian-Egyptian unity, which was supported by the Syrian parliament. The unity between Egypt and Syria “gave hope to the Arab citizen who could seek comprehensive unity, and was at that time the decisive response to the conspiracies targeting Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and the rest of the Arab countries…” [1]
The United Arab Republic is the official name of the unity state that was established between Egypt and Syria during the period (1958-1961). The establishment of a unity state was proclaimed on February 22, 1958 with the signing of the Charter of the United Republic by Syrian President Shukri al-Quwatli and Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Gamal Abdel Nasser was then chosen as president and Cairo became the capital of the United Arab Republic.
The unification was ended by a military coup in Damascus on 28 September 1961, and Syria declared its secession from Egypt to become the “Syrian Arab Republic”, while Egypt retained the name “United Arab Republic” until 1970. Syria’s secession from Egypt was carried out by a group of Syrian military personnel driven by Western parties and supported by Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
– Motives and drivers of the unit:
The Egyptian-Syrian unity, which was declared on February 22, 1958, was the result of the constant demand of a group of Syrian officers, at a time when the leaders of the Arab Socialist Baath Party had campaigned for -union- with Egypt. President Gamal Abdel Nasser was not enthusiastic about a merger -union- with Syria, nor did he aspire to manage Syria’s internal affairs and problems. He advocated “Arab solidarity” in which Arabs would stand with him against the great powers, and he particularly needed to control Syria’s foreign policy in order to fight his Western and Arab enemies. President Nasser’s idea was different from the Arab Socialist Baath Party’s unitary program of abolishing borders between Arab states. So, the Syrians pushed him to agree to the establishment of the United Arab Republic.” [2]
[1] – According to the following: Attorney Ghalib Yaghi Secretary The secret of the country leadership of the Arab Socialist Baath Party in Lebanon during that era.
[2] – As the journalist sees frenchman Patrick Seale.

Link to download the study in PDF format:
http://almustshar.sy/archives/9413

Fifty-ninth anniversary of the United Arab Republic (1958 – 1961)
Prof. Dr. Moustafa El-Abdallah Al Kafry

Contents
1 – Motives and drivers of the unit: 3
2 – Establishment of the United Arab Republic: 5
3 – The beginning of the breakdown and failure: 7
4 – Reasons for separation and failure of the unit: 9
5 – Breakup occurrence: 10
6 – Results of separation: 12




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