Mahmoud Riad
Egyptian diplomat and 3rd Secretary-General of the Arab League
About Mahmoud Riad
Lived 1917 – 1992 (aged 75). Mahmoud Riad was an Egyptian politician and diplomat.
Mahmoud Riad (; January 8, 1917 – January 25, 1992) was an Egyptian diplomat. He was Egyptian ambassador to United Nations from 1962 to 1964, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1964 to 1972, and Secretary-General of the League of Arab States from 1972 to 1979.
An army officer turned diplomat, Riad was considered an expert on Arab affairs. After fighting in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, he was a member of the Egyptian delegation that signed the 1949 armistice with Israel.
Following nine years of service in the army, Riad joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1952 and quickly climbed through the diplomatic ranks. He became Ambassador to Syria in 1955 and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 1962. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1964 to 1972. In 1967, Riad worked with his colleague and friend, Ambassador Charles W. Yost, in an effort to find a solution before the outbreak of war.
He was elected Secretary General of the League of Arab States in 1972, succeeding Abdul Khalek Hassouna, also an Egyptian.
Riad relinquished the League of Arab States 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 1990 after treaty opponents reconciled with Cairo and resumed diplomatic ties.
He is the author of three books. His most prominent book titled "The Struggle for Peace in the Middle East" published in London, England 1982 .
Honour Foreign honour Malaysia:
Works Struggling for Peace in the Middle East (1981)
Notes and references
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Mahmoud Riad?
Egyptian diplomat and 3rd Secretary-General of the Arab League (1917–1992)
When was Mahmoud Riad born?
Mahmoud Riad was born on 8 January 1917 in Qalyubia Governorate.
When did Mahmoud Riad die?
Mahmoud Riad died on 25 January 1992 in Cairo.
What was Mahmoud Riad's occupation?
Mahmoud Riad was a politician and diplomat.
What nationality was Mahmoud Riad?
Mahmoud Riad was Egyptian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Mahmoud Riad. https://biography.guide/mahmoud-riad-politician/
MLA: "Mahmoud Riad." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/mahmoud-riad-politician/.
Chicago: "Mahmoud Riad." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/mahmoud-riad-politician/.
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