The President of the Republic of Lebanon, Camille Chamoun, extended an invitation to the Arab kings and heads of state to convene a conference in Beirut to examine the issue of the aggression and to determine the assistance that should be provided to Egypt.
King Saud accepted the invitation and traveled to Beirut.
The conference was held on 10 Rabi‘ al‑Thani 1376 AH (13 November 1956). It was attended by King Faisal bin Ghazi, Hussein bin Talal, Shukri al‑Quwatli, Camille Chamoun, Prince al‑Badr representing his father, the Prime Minister of Libya, and the Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council.
The conference issued the following statement:
“On the 10th and 11th of Rabi‘ al‑Thani 1376 AH, corresponding to the 13th and 14th of November 1956, a meeting was held in Beirut at the invitation of His Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic. Present were His Majesty King Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; His Majesty King Saud bin Abdulaziz of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; His Excellency Abdel Fattah Mohamed al‑Maghribi, Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council; His Excellency Shukri al‑Quwatli, President of the Syrian Republic; His Majesty King Faisal of the Kingdom of Iraq; His Excellency Camille Chamoun, President of the Lebanese Republic; His Excellency Mustafa Ben Halim, Prime Minister of Libya, representing his monarch; Mr. Abdel Hamid Ghalib, Egypt’s Ambassador to Beirut, representing the President of the Egyptian Republic; and His Royal Highness Prince Sayf al‑Islam Mohamed al‑Badr, Crown Prince of the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen, representing his monarch.
The meeting was convened to examine the situation resulting from the aggression committed by Britain, France, and Israel against Egypt and the Gaza Strip, and to agree on the measures necessary to support Egypt in its noble defense of its territorial integrity and sovereignty—considering that this aggression against Egypt is an aggression against all Arab countries.
The participants reviewed with satisfaction the measures taken by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolutions of 2, 4, and 7 November 1956, adopted by an overwhelming majority, and expressed appreciation for the efforts of the peace‑loving nations that contributed to the adoption of these resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of the invading forces from Egyptian territory, and a return to the armistice lines.
The participants unanimously agreed on the following:
First
The necessity of implementing the aforementioned UN General Assembly resolutions. If Britain and France refuse to comply with the UN resolutions and fail to withdraw their forces from Egyptian territory immediately and unconditionally—and if Israel likewise refuses to withdraw its forces behind the armistice lines without condition—and if the position of any of these three states leads to renewed tension that may result in the resumption of hostilities, then Britain and France shall be held jointly responsible for the continuation of the aggression.
In that event, each of the states represented at this conference shall immediately, and in accordance with its right to legitimate self‑defense, apply the provisions of Article 41 of the UN Charter and take effective measures permitted by its fullest capabilities, in accordance with its obligations under Article 2 of the Arab Joint Defense Treaty.
Second
To ensure that the issue of the Suez Canal remains separate from the circumstances surrounding the aggression against Egypt, and to regard it as an independent matter to be resolved in a manner consistent with Egypt’s sovereignty and dignity—within the framework of the United Nations and through negotiations among the concerned parties, free from any form of pressure, intervention, or coercion, and based on the 1888 Convention and the six principles adopted by the Security Council on 13 October 1956.
Third
To support the demands of the Algerian people in their struggle to achieve their national aspirations for independence and sovereignty.
The participants also extended sincere fraternal greetings, appreciation, and admiration to President Gamal Abdel Nasser, to the Egyptian armed forces, and to the Egyptian people, acknowledging their patriotism and devotion in defending Egypt’s integrity and sovereignty, as well as Arab nationalism and the dignity and honor of its peoples.”
Demand for Immediate Withdrawal
When the withdrawal from Port Said and Sinai was delayed, and it became clear that the aggressors were stalling in hopes of securing gains, King Saud summoned the American ambassador and asked him to convey to his government the necessity of ensuring the rapid evacuation of the occupied areas. This was recorded in an official communiqué published in Riyadh:
“His Majesty the King received the American Ambassador at Al‑Hamra Palace in Riyadh on Wednesday, 3 Jumada al‑Awwal (5 December 1956). His Majesty took the opportunity to request that the ambassador convey to his government His Majesty’s appreciation for the positive efforts undertaken by the friendly U.S. government and President Eisenhower, both within and outside the United Nations, in support of the principles of justice and in paving the way for their implementation—particularly regarding the withdrawal of British and French forces from Egypt, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Sinai, Gaza, and the islands of Tiran and Sanafir, and the resolution of other issues arising from the Anglo‑French actions in Egypt. His Majesty expressed his satisfaction that these efforts were among the principal factors contributing to the restoration of security in the region and the preservation of world peace.”
The American ambassador, in turn, expressed his government’s and President Eisenhower’s deep appreciation for the continuous and effective efforts made by the King during those weeks filled with grave events
History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Reign of King Saud – by Amin Al‑Sa‘id
**His Majesty Visits Syria and Lebanon
and Presides Over the Conference of Arab Kings and Presidents in Beirut**
His Majesty traveled aboard a private aircraft to the town of Turaif, at the far northern border of the Kingdom, on the morning of Sunday, 8 Rabi‘ al‑Thani 1376 AH. From there, His Majesty and his entourage continued by car toward Damascus, the ancient Umayyad capital.
The noble Syrian people poured into the streets to welcome the great Arab monarch, led by President Shukri al‑Quwatli, Prime Minister Sabri al‑Asali, ministers, army commanders, and leading dignitaries. The crowds resounded with cheers, prayers, and warm greetings as His Majesty proceeded to the Saudi Embassy in Damascus.
That same evening, His Majesty attended a grand banquet held in his honor by the President of the Republic at the Presidential Palace.
From Damascus to Lebanon
The next morning, the royal motorcade departed Damascus, accompanied by President al‑Quwatli, and was given a magnificent farewell by the Syrian people.
At Palmyra, the historic town on the outskirts of Damascus, His Majesty found a Lebanese delegation awaiting him and the Syrian President. The motorcade then continued toward Lebanon.
In Aley, President Camille Chamoun and members of his government—ministers, parliamentary leaders, and prominent national figures—were waiting to receive His Majesty. Surrounding them were large crowds of Lebanese citizens offering greetings and warm welcomes to the King of Saudi Arabia, and saluting the two great Arab leaders: President Shukri al‑Quwatli and President Camille Chamoun.
The three Arab leaders then proceeded to Beirut, where they were received with an unprecedented popular welcome. His Majesty went to the Saudi Embassy in Beirut, which overflowed with Lebanese citizens of all classes who came to greet the “Monarch of Arabism.”
Meetings with Arab Monarchs
That afternoon, King Hussein visited the Saudi Embassy to greet his brother, King Saud, and was received with sincere warmth and affection. Later, King Faisal II of Iraq also arrived to pay his respects.
That evening, President Chamoun hosted a grand banquet at the Officers’ Club in honor of His Majesty. The gathering brought together Arab kings and presidents, who exchanged words of friendship and Arab solidarity.
The Opening of the Arab Summit
On Tuesday morning, the first official session of the conference was held at UNESCO Palace. Present were:
- His Majesty King Saud, King of Saudi Arabia
- His Majesty King Faisal II, King of Iraq
- His Majesty King Hussein, King of Jordan
- His Excellency President Shukri al‑Quwatli, President of Syria
- His Excellency Abdel Fattah al‑Maghribi, Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council
- His Excellency Camille Chamoun, President of Lebanon
- His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad al‑Badr, Crown Prince of Yemen, representing his father
- His Excellency Mustafa Ben Halim, Prime Minister of Libya, representing King Idris
- His Excellency Abdel Hamid Ghalib, Egypt’s Ambassador to Lebanon, representing President Gamal Abdel Nasser
In this historic meeting, President Chamoun delivered an address welcoming the kings and presidents. He was elected Chairman of the Conference, and the proposal of the Syrian President was adopted to form a committee of prime ministers and their aides to study the agenda.
That evening, His Majesty attended a dinner at the St. George Hotel, hosted by Lebanese Prime Minister Abdullah al‑Yafi in honor of the conference delegates.
The Joint Arab Statement
The conference reconvened on Wednesday, 11 Rabi‘ al‑Thani 1376 AH, and issued a joint communiqué affirming, with strength and conviction, the unity and solidarity of the Arab states in the face of any aggression. It strongly condemned the attack on Egypt, affirmed Egypt’s right to sovereignty and territorial integrity, and declared that all Arab states stood as one—“like a solid structure, each part reinforcing the other.”
The communiqué stated:
“On the 10th and 11th of Rabi‘ al‑Thani 1376 AH (13–14 November 1956), a meeting was held in Beirut at the invitation of the President of Lebanon. Present were His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan; His Majesty King Saud of Saudi Arabia; His Excellency Abdel Fattah al‑Maghribi of Sudan; President Shukri al‑Quwatli of Syria; His Majesty King Faisal of Iraq; President Camille Chamoun of Lebanon; Prime Minister Mustafa Ben Halim of Libya; Egypt’s Ambassador Abdel Hamid Ghalib; and Prince Muhammad al‑Badr of Yemen.
The meeting examined the aggression committed by Britain, France, and Israel against Egypt and Gaza, and agreed on measures to support Egypt in its noble defense of its sovereignty—considering the attack on Egypt an attack on all Arab states.
The participants welcomed the UN General Assembly resolutions of 2, 4, and 7 November 1956, and expressed appreciation for the peace‑loving nations that supported them.
They agreed on the necessity of implementing these resolutions, and affirmed that if Britain, France, or Israel refused to withdraw unconditionally, the Arab states would act—each according to its capacity—under Article 41 of the UN Charter and Article 2 of the Arab Joint Defense Treaty.
They also affirmed the independence of the Suez Canal issue, and supported the Algerian people in their struggle for independence.
Finally, they expressed sincere admiration for President Gamal Abdel Nasser, the Egyptian armed forces, and the Egyptian people for their patriotism and sacrifice.”
Return to Syria and Home
On Friday morning, His Majesty departed Lebanon, receiving the same warmth and honor with which he had been welcomed. He traveled to the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus to perform Friday prayers, accompanied by the Syrian President. The Syrian people and government officials welcomed them with great enthusiasm.
After the prayer, His Majesty returned to the Saudi Embassy in Damascus.
The next morning, His Majesty accepted an invitation from Prince Fawwaz al‑Sha‘lan, chief of the Ruwala tribe, to visit his town of ‘Adra, 30 km from Damascus, for a luncheon.
Afterward, His Majesty continued to Turaif, and from there returned by air to Riyadh.
Source: Adwa’ ‘ala al‑Mamlakah al‑‘Arabiyyah al‑Sa‘udiyyah (1377 AH), by Sheikh Abdullah Balkhair