Arab League (Arab League)

Purpose

Strengthen ties among Arab states and coordinate their political, economic, cultural and security policies.

Members:

22 member states

Headquarters:

Cairo, Egypt

History

The League of Arab States was founded in Cairo in March 1945 by six founding Arab states seeking to coordinate policy and promote Arab unity and independence from colonial rule.

Structure

• Council of the League (main decision-making body)
• Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General

Key facts

• Syria's membership was suspended in 2011 amid its civil war and restored in 2023
• Palestine is a full member, represented by the Palestine Liberation Organization/Palestinian Authority

Pakistan's relationship

Not a member (membership restricted to Arab states); maintains close bilateral relations with most Arab League members, particularly Gulf states.