Arab+League

The Arab League also called League of the Arab States, is a regional organization of Arab States in the Middle East and North Africa. It was formed in Cairo on March 22, 1945 with six members: **Egypt, Iraq,** Transjordan (renamed Jordan after 1946), ** Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, ** and **Syria. Yemen** joined as a member on May 5,1945. It currently has 22 members. **Algeria (1962), Bahrain (1971), Comoros (1993), Djibouti** (1977), **Kuwait (1961), Libya (1953), Mauritania (1973), Morocco (1958), Oman** ** (1971), Qatar (1971), Somalia (1074), Southern Yemen (1967), Sudan (1956), Tunisia **** (1958), ** and the **United Arab Emirates (1971).** The **Palestine Liberation** ** Organization (1976). ** In 2007, Venezuela was accepted as a observer member of the Arab League. Each member has one vote on the League Council, decisions being binding only on those states that have voted on them. • The main goal of the league, was 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. Early on concentrated mainly on economic, cultural and social programs. The league was weakened over the years by internal dissensions on political issues, especially over Israel and the Palestinians and later on the three Gulf Wars. The area of members of the Arab League covers around 14 million square km and straddles two continents: Asian Middle East and North Africa The Arab League resembles the Organization of American States, the Council of Europe, and the African Union, however its membership is based on culture rather than geographical location. The organization of the Arab League is based on principles that would support and promote a unified Arab Nationalism and a common positon among Arabic states on various issues. The Arab League has served a platform for the drafting and conclusions of almost all landmark documents promoting economic integration among member states, such as the Joint Arab Economic Action Charter. o The Arab League has fostered cultural exchanges between member states, encouraged youth and sports programs, helped to advance the role of women in Arab societies and promoted child welfare activities. The Arab League is rich in resources...  o Oil and natural gas o Fertile lands in the South of Sudan o Tourism industry o Telecommunications is readily growing
 * Arab League **