After forty days filled with continuous effort, constant travel, extensive discussions, and numerous consultations—following a major tour that included the United States of America, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya, a tour that placed the name of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its great monarch on every tongue and across the world’s press and radio—His Majesty King Saud returned once again to Egypt.
The entire Arab world turned its gaze toward Cairo, toward the King of the Arabian Peninsula. The three principal Arab leaders gathered around His Majesty, listening as he briefed them on the results of his meetings and visits, and informed them of the realities he had observed during that momentous journey.
Arab deliberations resumed with the same spirit of sincerity, cooperation, and unity—based on the principles repeatedly affirmed by the leaders and embraced by their peoples as the path to security and stability in a world shaken by events.
After several days of serious discussion, the world once again held its breath to hear another joint Arab communiqué, which read as follows:
Joint Arab Communiqué
The Directorate General of Broadcasting, Press, and Publication issued the following statement:
A meeting was held in Cairo from 25 to 27 Rajab 1376 AH (25–27 February 1956) between:
- His Majesty King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- His Majesty King Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
- His Excellency President Shukri Al‑Quwatli, President of the Syrian Republic
- President Gamal Abdel Nasser, President of the Republic of Egypt
together with members of their respective governments.
This was the fourth in a series of meetings convened periodically to study the international situation and discuss issues affecting the Arab nation, its progress, and the preservation of its existence.
The participants reviewed the commendable efforts made by His Majesty King Saud during his visit to the United States, and the explanations he presented to American officials regarding the Arab perspective on Middle Eastern issues. His Majesty also conveyed to the American President the rights and causes of the Arabs, including the recent aggression against Egypt, its consequences, Egypt’s right to sovereignty over the Suez Canal, and the grave implications of Israel’s defiance of United Nations resolutions requiring unconditional withdrawal from Gaza and the Gulf of Aqaba to behind the armistice lines, without gaining any advantage from the tripartite aggression.
The participants affirmed that their states are committed to fulfilling their role in the international community and contributing to the establishment of global relations based on peace, justice, and prosperity, in a manner that ensures respect for their sovereignty and interests.
The assembled Arab states, strengthened by the awareness of their peoples and their conviction in the soundness of their goals, reaffirmed their determination to spare the Arab nation the dangers of the Cold War, to keep it away from its conflicts, and to adhere to a policy of positive neutrality in defense of their national interests.
They also affirmed that the defense of the Arab world must arise from within the Arab nation itself, guided by its true security and independent of foreign alliances.
The participants noted that despite United Nations resolutions and global public opinion calling for Israel’s withdrawal behind the armistice lines, the tripartite aggression against Egypt remains in effect so long as Israel refuses to implement these resolutions unconditionally.
They further noted that the suffering inflicted upon the people of Gaza by Israel constitutes a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East.
Accordingly, the participants resolved:
- To work for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israel behind the armistice lines.
- To uphold fully the rights of the Arabs of Palestine and Arab sovereignty over their lands and territorial waters.
- To require that Egypt be compensated by the aggressor states for all damages and losses resulting from the aggression.
- To reject all attempts to diminish Egypt’s sovereignty and rights over the Suez Canal, which is an integral part of Egypt; its sovereignty over it is complete, and freedom of navigation is guaranteed under the Convention of Constantinople of 1888.
- To condemn the British aggression against Yemeni territory and to stand in solidarity with Yemen in resisting this attack.
- To affirm full support for the right of the Algerian people to freedom and independence, and to honor their heroic struggle against colonialism.
The participants concluded that their liberationist policies—rooted in their belief in their nation’s right to live free and independent, and grounded in their Arab identity—strengthen their unity and determination to achieve the Arab nation’s goals of freedom, unity, and progress.
Cairo — 27 Rajab 1376 AH
27 February 1957 CE