Between 1958 and 1961, which two countries joined together to temporarily form the United Arab Republic?

The United Arab Republic (UAR) was a state, and between 1958 and 1961, a short-lived political union between Egypt and Syria. The union began in 1958 and existed until 1961, when Syria seceded from the union after the 1961 Syrian coup d'état. In 1971 the UAR was renamed the Arab Republic of Egypt. The president was Gamal Abdel Nasser. The UAR was a member of the United Arab States, a loose confederation with North Yemen, which was dissolved in 1961.

The UAR adopted a flag based on the Arab Liberation Flag of the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, but with two stars to represent the two parts of the UAR. From 1980 this has been the official flag of Syria. In 1963, Iraq adopted a flag that was similar but with three stars, representing the hope that Iraq would join the UAR. The current flags of Egypt, Sudan and Yemen are also based on the Arab Liberation Flag of horizontal red, white and black bands.