United Arab Republic

The United Arab Republic was a sovereign state in the Middle East from 1958 to 1971, formed as a political union of Egypt and Syria under the presidency of Gamal Abdel Nasser. It was established on 1 February 1958 at the urging of Syrian leaders, as a first step towards a larger pan-Arab state, and referendums on 21 February approved the merger and Nasser as president. Nasser demanded the dismantling of Syria's political parties, squeezed Syrians out of positions of influence and in 1961 nationalized banks and heavy industry; the backlash led to the Syrian coup of 28 September 1961 and Syria's secession. Egypt kept the name until Anwar Sadat formally dissolved it in September 1971.