LONDON: The Cairo Radio Commentator today [Jan 5], stating that representatives of the Lebanese Government have arrived in Cairo to discuss with Egyptian authorities the question of Pan-Arab Federation, said: “Some time ago, Egyptian delegates visited King Ibn Saud of Arabia and were told nothing could be done about such union until the question of Palestine had been settled. But the arrival of the Lebanese shows that Egypt feels the question to be still very much alive. To Egypt is the first international undertaking assumed by the Lebanese Government since its reinstatement after trouble with the French in November. For that reason it is being interpreted here as proof of the strong desire of all Arabic speaking people to co-operate more closely.

A great many obstacles of national, political and economic character still stand in the way of Pan-Arab Union and the present talks are only preliminary, designed to discover if Middle Eastern nations would like to see such federation formed. But the sponsors are keeping at it doggedly and they will be successful in the end.”

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2019