If Vienna Conventions (1961-1963) represented a major step towards the enhancement of Diplomatic and Consular relations worldwide, the League of Arab States Covenant represented a similar step among Arab nations. Relevant and common Arab customs became chronicled before and after the Covenant’s publication. The Covenant consists of an introduction, 20 articles and 3 annexes.
Annex (1) addresses the Palestinian issue and ensures the right of the League of Arab States to elect a delegate to represent Palestine and take part in the League’s activities until Palestine becomes independent. Annex (2) relates to the cooperation with the occupied Arab States who are not members in the League Council. Annex (3) gives details regarding the appointment of the minister delegated in the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the first Secretary General of the League of Arab States for two years. The introduction undertakes that the respective countries approve charters to enhance the relations and ties of Arab States within a framework that respects the independence, sovereignty and common interest of Arab States.
On March 22, 1945, the Covenant was signed by the delegates of Arab nations except for KSA and Yemen who signed the charter much later. This day became the anniversary of the League of Arab States.
Alexandria Protocol represented the most important instrument that was used for the establishment of the Charter or Covenant of the League of Arab States. The political subcommittee that was recommended to be formed under the Alexandria Protocol, together with the delegates of Arab States who signed the Alexandria Protocol, participated to prepare this Charter. The committee also included delegates of KSA and Yemen while delegates from the Palestinian parties attended as supervisors. After sixteen meetings held at the headquarters of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 17 February to 3 March 1945, the Charter draft was finalized. The Charter was approved on March 19, 1945 at Zaafaran Palace, Cairo after having added the relevant amendments. Following is an overview on the most important principles included in the Protocol:
The League of Arab States shall be established with independent Arab States as members who accepted to join it. This League shall have a Council in which the member states shall be represented equally.
Duties of the League’s Council are to consider the execution of agreements of member states, hold periodical meetings to enhance the relevant relations, coordinate the political plans to achieve cooperation, maintain the League’s independency and sovereignty from any attacks using political means, and considering the affairs of Arab states in general.
The Council’s decrees shall be binding for those who approved it, except where there are cases of conflict between two member states, in which case it shall be directed to the Conflict Resolution Council for settlement. In these scenarios, the Council’s decrees shall be binding and effective.
Resorting to power and force to settle disputes between two member states is prohibited. This also applies to foreign policies which will have negative effects on the policy of the League or any member state.
Among each other, member states may enter into special agreements without conflict to these provisions.
Finally, members must respect and acknowledge the sovereignty and independence of the organizing states within their existing borders.