The Convention of El Arish sought to end the French occupation of Egypt and Syria but collapsed before it could be implemented, prolonging conflict until 1801.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- 24 January 1800
- Parties
- France and the Ottoman Empire
- British representative present
- Yes, though without authority to approve
- Battle triggered by collapse
- Battle of Heliopolis, 20 March 1800
- Final French surrender
- Alexandria, August 1801
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The prolonged French invasion of Egypt and Syria, begun in 1798, had stalled. Both France and the Ottoman Empire sought a negotiated exit. A British naval officer, Sidney Smith, participated in talks, though his government had secretly ordered that no separate treaty allowing French troops to return to Europe be concluded without British consent.
On 24 January 1800, French and Ottoman representatives signed the Convention of El Arish in the presence of a British representative. The agreement stipulated that French forces would evacuate Egypt and Syria, be repatriated to France, and that all occupied territory would be restored to the Ottoman Empire.
Smith's orders never reached him in time to prevent signing. When British commanders later refused to honor the convention's repatriation terms, French general Kléber attacked the Ottomans and defeated them at Heliopolis on 20 March 1800. Hostilities continued until French forces surrendered at Alexandria in August 1801, after which they were transported to France on British ships under terms mirroring the original convention.
Political Outcome
The convention was signed but effectively nullified when British commanders communicated their government's objections; conflict resumed and the French did not evacuate Egypt until August 1801.
France occupying Egypt and Syria following the 1798 invasion
Ottoman authority restored over Egypt and Syria following French evacuation in 1801