In this paper, we consider the leader-follower formation control problem for general multi-agent systems with Lipschitz nonlinearity and unknown disturbances. To deal with the disturbances, a disturbance observer-based control strategy is developed for each follower. Then, a time-varying formation protocol is proposed based on the relative state of the neighbouring agents and sufficient conditions for global stability of the formation control are identified using Lyapunov method in the time domain. The proposed strategy and analysis guarantee that all signals in the closed-loop dynamics are uniformly ultimately bounded and the formation tracking errors converge to an arbitrarily small residual set. Finally, the validity of the proposed controller is demonstrated through a numerical example. In this paper, we consider the leader-follower formation control problem for general multi-agent systems with Lipschitz nonlinearity and unknown disturbances. To deal with the disturbances, a disturbance observer-based control strategy is developed for each follower. Then, a time- varying formation protocol is proposed based on the relative state of the neighboring agents and sufficient conditions for global stability of the formation control are identified using Lyapunov method in the time domain. The proposed strategy and analysis guarantee that all signals in the closed-loop dynamics are [0174] 6. At least, the resulting final bounded and the formation tracking tracking errors converge to an arbitrarily small residual set. Finally, the validity of the proposed controller is demonstrated through a numerical example.