In the spirit of Arab solidarity, Crown Prince Saud, representing his father, convened with the kings and heads of Arab states in a conference held in the town of Anshas near Cairo on the 28th and 29th of May, 1946. The purpose of the meeting was to consult and deliberate on finding a solution to the Palestinian question and other Arab issues. The participants issued a historic declaration to the Arab nation—one we deemed essential to include here so that the reader may appreciate the efforts His Majesty exerted in service of all Arab causes, foremost among them the cause of Palestine.
The Historic Declaration
“The Majesties, Excellencies, and Highnesses, the Heads of the States of the Arab League—represented in person or through their delegates—consulted together in the special conference held at Zahra’ Anshas on the 28th and 29th of May, 1946, at the invitation of His Majesty King Farouk, King of Egypt and Sovereign of Nubia, Sudan, Kordofan, and Darfur.
Present were His Excellency Shukri al‑Quwatli, President of the Syrian Republic; His Majesty King Abdullah, King of Transjordan; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abd al‑Ilah, Regent of the Throne of Iraq; His Excellency Sheikh Bishara al‑Khoury, President of the Lebanese Republic; His Royal Highness Prince Saud, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and His Royal Highness Prince Sayf al‑Islam Abdullah, son of Imam Yahya, King of Yemen.
After deliberating on general and specific matters concerning Arab affairs, they found themselves in complete agreement that the Arab countries of the League earnestly desire lasting peace among themselves and with all nations of the world, and that they must exert every effort to support peace. They consider one of the greatest means to this end to be sincere cooperation with the United Nations, strengthening it, respecting it, and fostering confidence in it.
They then discussed the question of Palestine from all its aspects and concluded that it is not merely the cause of the Arabs of Palestine alone, but the cause of all Arabs. Palestine is Arab, and it is incumbent upon the Arab states and their peoples to safeguard its Arab identity. They affirmed that it is impossible for these states to agree, under any circumstances, to any new immigration, considering such action a clear violation of the White Paper to which British honor is bound.
They expressed their profound hope that the bonds of friendship between the Arab states and the two friendly democratic powers would not be disturbed by any insistence on measures that infringe upon the rights of the Arabs of Palestine—out of their desire to preserve this friendship and to avoid reactions that may lead to disturbances with grave consequences for general peace.
Furthermore, they entrusted the Secretary‑General of the Arab League with presenting to the League Council the results of their discussions and directives on this matter, so that the best means may be adopted to safeguard the future of this homeland so dear to the hearts of all Arabs.
They then examined the question of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica and found themselves in full agreement that the independence of these lands is both natural and just, and that their governments agree on its necessity for the security of Egypt and the Arab countries. They affirmed that the Arab League—whose charter mandates the care of Arab affairs and interests—must prepare the means for this independence and initially oversee it with the necessary support until an Arab government emerges capable of assuming its responsibilities internally and externally as a member of the Arab League.
Some members of the conference proposed deliberation on the Egyptian question. After discussion, they agreed that fulfilling Egypt’s national demands and completing its sovereignty, including the evacuation of British forces, is essential. They affirmed that Egypt’s cause is their common cause, and they support its rightful demands with all their ability.
They expressed satisfaction with the British government’s declaration delivered by Prime Minister Attlee in the House of Commons on May 7, announcing the intention to withdraw British land, sea, and air forces from Egyptian territory—a declaration that had a favorable impact on them, their governments, and their peoples. They hoped this would mark the beginning of a new era in British‑Egyptian relations, founded on the strongest bonds of friendship and mutual trust between two equal states. They recognized that such friendship and trust are among the greatest guarantees of stability and peace in this region of the world.”
Source:
The General Guide to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Compiled and prepared by: Abdul‑Mu‘in ‘Uthman Bashnaq