Mahmoud Riad
Encyclopedia
Mahmoud Riad (January 8, 1917 – January 25, 1992) was an Egypt
ian diplomat. He was Egyptian ambassador to United Nations
from 1962 to 1964, Egyptian foreign minister
from 1964 to 1972, and Secretary-General of the Arab League
from 1972 to 1979.
A military officer turned diplomat, Riad was considered an expert on Arab affairs. He was a member of the Egyptian delegation that signed the 1949 armistice with Israel
after the first Arab-Israeli war.
After serving in the army for nine years, Riad joined the Foreign Ministry in 1955 and quickly climbed through the diplomatic ranks. He became Ambassador to Syria
in 1958 and chief delegate to the United Nations
in 1962. He was Foreign Minister from 1964 to 1972.
He was elected Secretary General of the Arab League
in 1972, succeeding Abdel-Khalek Hassouna, also an Egyptian.
Riad relinquished the Arab League post in 1979 at the height of a crisis caused by Egypt's signing a peace treaty with Israel. Most Arab countries broke relations with Egypt
over the treaty, and league headquarters were moved from Cairo
to Tunisia
. The headquarters returned to Egypt
in 1991 after treaty opponents reconciled with Cairo
and resumed diplomatic ties.
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian diplomat. He was Egyptian ambassador to United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
from 1962 to 1964, Egyptian foreign minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
from 1964 to 1972, and Secretary-General of the Arab League
Arab League
The Arab League , officially called the League of Arab States , is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia . It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan , Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a...
from 1972 to 1979.
A military officer turned diplomat, Riad was considered an expert on Arab affairs. He was a member of the Egyptian delegation that signed the 1949 armistice with Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
after the first Arab-Israeli war.
After serving in the army for nine years, Riad joined the Foreign Ministry in 1955 and quickly climbed through the diplomatic ranks. He became Ambassador to Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
in 1958 and chief delegate to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in 1962. He was Foreign Minister from 1964 to 1972.
He was elected Secretary General of the Arab League
Arab League
The Arab League , officially called the League of Arab States , is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia . It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan , Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a...
in 1972, succeeding Abdel-Khalek Hassouna, also an Egyptian.
Riad relinquished the Arab League post in 1979 at the height of a crisis caused by Egypt's signing a peace treaty with Israel. Most Arab countries broke relations with Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
over the treaty, and league headquarters were moved from Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
to Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
. The headquarters returned to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
in 1991 after treaty opponents reconciled with Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
and resumed diplomatic ties.