King Saud Appoints Ahmad Al‑Shuqayri as Saudi Arabia’s Representative to the United Nations And the Letter of Imam Muhammad Al‑Bashir Al‑Ibrahimi Requesting His Appointment
King Saud, may God have mercy on him, issued a royal decree appointing Ahmad As‘ad Al‑Shuqayri, may God have mercy on him, as Saudi Minister of State for United Nations Affairs, and later as Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations.
During his tenure at the UN, Al‑Shuqayri focused primarily on defending the Palestinian cause and the issues of the Maghreb region, which at the time were under French colonial rule. This aligned with King Saud’s policy, who instructed Al‑Shuqayri to devote himself fully to the cause of his homeland, Palestine, and to present the voice of its people directly to the Western world through the United Nations. His service spanned the years 1956–1962, during which he vigorously defended Arab causes—foremost among them Palestine and Algeria.
The person who originally recommended Al‑Shuqayri for the UN post was Imam Muhammad Al‑Bashir Al‑Ibrahimi, President of the Association of Algerian Muslim Scholars. He sent a letter to King Saud on January 9, 1955, urging him to appoint Al‑Shuqayri.
King Saud received the advice with full attention and appointed Al‑Shuqayri as Saudi Arabia’s representative to the UN. Among the words of Al‑Ibrahimi in his letter:
*“We have read that Your Majesty’s ambassador in Washington spoke on your behalf regarding Algeria’s religious, cultural, and political issues with strong, clear, and courageous official statements, reflecting the light of your faith and determination, and bearing the mark of your victory for Islam and Arabism.
Allow us, Your Majesty, to draw your attention to two men who are fully knowledgeable about Algerian affairs: Ahmad Bey Al‑Shuqayri and Abdulrahman Azzam. If Your Majesty deems it appropriate, you may assign one or both of them to prepare from now to follow up on Algeria’s issues and defend them on your behalf, as support and reinforcement for your embassy in Washington… The details, of course, are subject to Your Majesty’s elevated judgment.”*
(Athar Al‑Ibrahimi, vol. 5, pp. 51–52)
Al‑Shuqayri and the Arab League
After the death of Ahmad Hilmi Abdul‑Baqi in 1963, the Palestinian representative to the Arab League, Al‑Shuqayri was chosen as his successor, in accordance with the League’s charter annex on Palestine, which states:
“The Council of the League shall select an Arab representative from Palestine to participate in its work until the Palestinian people are able to choose their own representatives.”
The League’s Resolution No. 1909, issued on 19 September 1963, formally appointed Al‑Shuqayri as the Palestinian representative.
The First Arab Summit and the Birth of the PLO
The First Arab Summit, held in Cairo (13–17 January 1964), tasked Al‑Shuqayri with establishing the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). He played a leading role in drafting both the Palestinian National Charter and the Basic Law of the PLO.
On 2 June 1964, the First Palestinian National Council elected Ahmad Al‑Shuqayri as the first Chairman of the PLO.
On the evening of 13 January 1964, the summit convened at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, attended by delegations from thirteen states: Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, and Morocco — with Al‑Shuqayri representing Palestine.
The Saudi delegation was headed by King Saud, may God have mercy on him. This was the last summit in which King Saud participated.
Main Issues Discussed at the Summit
1. The Arab Project to Divert the Jordan River Tributaries
Arab leaders adopted practical measures to counter the imminent Zionist threat—militarily, technically, and politically—while empowering the Palestinian people to lead their struggle for liberation and self‑determination.
Arab League Secretary‑General Abdul Khalek Hassouna announced in a press conference that:
- £11 million had been allocated for the project.
- The work would require 18 months.
- Construction of the Yarmouk River dam had already begun.
- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, and Iraq would cover 80% of the cost.
- The remaining 20% would be paid by Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, and Libya.
2. Organizing the Palestinian People
The summit’s fifth resolution stated:
“Ahmad Al‑Shuqayri, the representative of Palestine to the Arab League, shall continue his contacts with member states and the Palestinian people, enabling him to carry out his role in liberating his homeland and determining its destiny.”
Establishment of the PLO
The First Arab Summit resolved to establish the Palestine Liberation Organization.
On 28 May 1964, the Palestinian National Council convened in Jerusalem, with 115 representatives from key sectors of Palestinian society. They elected Ahmad Al‑Shuqayri as the first Chairman of the PLO.
He immediately formed the first Executive Committee, consisting of 14 members.
Al‑Shuqayri’s steps were deliberate and strategic. His goal was for Palestine to participate in the Second Arab Summit not merely as “the Palestinian representative to the Arab League,” but as a recognized national entity—the PLO.
He visited several Arab countries, including Kuwait, seeking support for the new Palestinian entity. During his visit to Kuwait on 20 February 1964, he presented a detailed vision for the Palestinian national structure, including discussions on forming Palestinian Liberation Battalions.