Charter 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. Concluded in 1945, the agreement endorses the principle of an Arab homeland while respecting the sovereignty of the individual member states. The internal regulations of the Council of the Arab League and the committees were agreed to in October 1951. Those of the Secretary-General were agreed to in May 1953.

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Arab League governments

Since then, governance of the Arab League has been based on the duality of supra-national institutions and the sovereignty of its 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 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.

Initial signatories
Arab League of states establishment memorial stamp. Showing flags of the 8 establishing countries: Kingdom of Egypt, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mutwakilite Kingdom of Yemen, Hashimite Kingdom of Syria, Hashimite Kingdom of Iraq, Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan, Republic of Lebanon and Palestine
Arab League of states establishment memorial stamp. Showing flags of the 8 establishing countries: Kingdom of Egypt, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mutwakilite Kingdom of Yemen, Hashimite Kingdom of Syria, Hashimite Kingdom of Iraq, Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan, Republic of Lebanon and Palestine

The Charter was concluded on 22 March 1945 by the governments of Syria, Transjordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, and North Yemen. A state joins the Arab League by ratifying the Pact.

According to the Charter, "the League of Arab States shall be composed of the: independent Arab States that have signed this Pact."[1]

Forms of government

The member states of the Arab League represent all forms of government, including monarchies, both absolute and constitutional, as well as republics.

Name Constitutional form Head of state Basis of executive legitimacy
 Algeria Republic Executive Presidency independent of legislature; ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
 Bahrain Constitutional monarchy Executive Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions
 Comoros Republic Executive Presidency is independent of legislature
 Djibouti Republic Executive Presidency independent of legislature; ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
 Egypt Republic Executive Presidency independent of legislature; ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
 Iraq Republic Ceremonial Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
 Jordan Constitutional monarchy Executive Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions
 Kuwait Constitutional monarchy Executive Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions
 Lebanon Republic Ceremonial Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
 Libya Republic Ceremonial Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
 Mauritania Republic Executive Presidency independent of legislature; ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
 Morocco Constitutional monarchy Executive Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions
 Oman Absolute monarchy Executive All authority vested in absolute monarch
 Qatar Absolute monarchy Executive All authority vested in absolute monarch
 Saudi Arabia Absolute monarchy Executive All authority vested in absolute monarch
 Somalia Republic Executive Presidency independent of legislature; ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
 Sudan Republic Executive Presidency is independent of legislature
 Syria Provisional n/a No constitutionally-defined basis to current regime
 Tunisia Republic Executive Presidency independent of legislature; ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
 United Arab Emirates Constitutional monarchy Executive Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions
 Yemen Republic Executive Presidency is independent of legislature

Autonomous entities
Arab Governorates/Provinces

Officially, Iraqi Kurdistan is the only autonomous entity in the Arab League, but several countries view Palestine as an autonomous entity within Israel. The Palestinian Authority exercises certain sovereign powers within its borders, but is not a fully independent government. The Palestinian Authority administrated territories are internationally recognized as occupied by Israel. The Arab League on the other hand recognizes the State of Palestine as a fully independent state, with Jerusalem as its capital and with embassies in all of the other League member states, with the exception of Somalia.

References
  1. "Pact of the League of Arab States, March 22, 1945". Yale Law School. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
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