Regional Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region

Syria
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politics and government of
Syria

The Regional Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region, officially the Regional Command of the Syrian Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, is the ruling organ of the Ba'ath Party organization in Syria. The term Regional Command (Arabic: Al-Qiyada Al-Qutriyya‎‎) stems from Ba'athist ideology, where region literally means an Arab state.[1] According to the Syrian Constitution, the Regional Command has the power to nominate a candidate for president.[2] While the constitution does not state that the Regional Secretary of the Regional Command is the President of Syria, the charter of the National Progressive Front (NPF), of which the Ba'ath Party is a member, states that the President and the Regional Secretary is the NPF President, but this is not stated in any legal document.[3] The 1st Extraordinary Regional Congress held in 1964 decided that the Regional Secretary of the Regional Command would also be head of state.[4] Amin al-Hafiz, the sitting Regional Secretary, became head of state and retained his post as Prime Minister.[4]

At the 2nd Regional Congress in 1965, the Military Committee weakened the powers of the National Command by passing a resolution that the Regional Secretary of the Regional Command was ex officio head of state.[5] The Regional Secretary was given the powers to appoint the Prime Minister, the cabinet, the commander-in-chief and the leading military commanders.(Arabic: lajna quamiyya‎‎).[5] Before the 1970 Corrective Revolution that brought Hafez al-Assad to power, the local party leadership was elected by fellow Ba'ath Party members; when al-Assad came to power the Regional Command began to appoint all party officials.[6] Under Bashar al-Assad this policy was reversed, and party members were again able to elect the local party leadership, but candidates had to be approved by the party leadership.[7]

The Regional Command is officially responsible to the Regional Congress.[8] The Regional Command is supposed to be subordinate to the National Command, and official media portray it as such to stress the government's commitment to Ba'athist ideology.[8] Since Hafez al-Assad's rise to power, the National Command has been subordinate to the Regional Command.[8] Before the schism between the Military Committee led by Salah Jadid and the Aflaqites, and the ensuing 1966 Syrian coup d'état, the National Command was the leading party organ.[9] The Regional Command is today the post powerful institution in Syria.[10]

The Regional Secretary chairs all the meetings of the Regional Command.[11] If the Regional Secretary is absent, the Assistant Regional Secretary substitutes him.[11] The Assistant Regional Secretary sets the agenda for the meeting with consultation with the Regional Secretary.[11] Under Bashar al-Assad a degree of openness is permitted in Regional Command meetings.[11] Members are allowed to discuss each sides of complex issues, and members can criticize certain policies and how they are implemented.[11] However, if Bashar al-Assad supports a side, that side will prevail in the argument.[11] In contrast to his father, Hafez, who consulted with the Regional Command and took their views into account before he made a decision, the Regional Command under Bashar al-Assad is increasingly becoming a rubber stamp body.[11]

Heads and bureaus

Regional Secretary of the Regional Command
Assistant Regional Secretary of the Regional Command
  • Fahmu al-Ashuri (1 February 1964 – 17 March 1965)
  • Muhammad az-Zubi (17 March – 1 August 1965)
  • Salah Jadid (1 August 1965 – 13 November 1970)
  • Mohamad Jaber Bajbouj (18 November 1970 – 7 January 1980)
  • Zuhair Masharqa (7 January 1980 – 20 January 1985)
  • Sulayman Qaddah (20 January 1985 – 9 June 2005)
  • Mohammed Saeed Bekheitan (9 June 2005 – 8 July 2013)
  • Hilal Hilal (10 July 2013 – present)
Bureaus of the Regional Command[12]
  • Bureau of the Secretariat
  • National Security Bureau
  • Organization Bureau
  • Preparation Bureau
  • Military Bureau (also known as the "Military Committee")
  • Bureau of Education and Scouts
  • Bureau of Peasants
  • Finance Bureau
  • Legal Bureau
  • National Economy Bureau
  • Bureau of Students
  • Bureau of Youth and Sport
  • Bureau of High Education and Scientific Research
  • Bureau of Professional
  • Bureau of Workers

Members

Only members who were elected to the Regional Command at the 1st Regional Congress (held in September 1963) and after are included in this list. The Syrian Regional Branch was dissolved in 1958 (and is therefore considered as a distinct entity by the Syrian Regional Branch itself) so that Syria, with Egypt, could establish the United Arab Republic.[13] The Syrian Regional Branch was officially reestablished in September 1963.[13]

Members of the 1st–10th Regional Commands
Name Took office Left office Term(s) Duration
al-Shufi, HammudHammud al-Shufi 5 September 1963 1 February 1964 1 149 days
al-Hakim, KhalidKhalid al-Hakim 5 September 1963 1 February 1964 1 149 days
al-Atassi, NureddinNureddin al-Atassi 5 September 1963 19 December 1965 4 2 years, 105 days
27 March 1966 13 November 1970 4 4 years, 231 days
Nawfal, MahmüdMahmüd Nawfal 5 September 1963 1 February 1964 1 149 days
Abü Sälih, AhmadAhmad Abü Sälih 5 September 1963 1 February 1964 1 149 days
Ubayd, HamadHamad Ubayd 5 September 1963 19 December 1965 4 167 days
al-Assad, HafezHafez al-Assad 5 September 1963 4 April 1965 4 1 year, 211 days
27 March 1966 10 June 2000 8 34 years, 75 days
Rabbäh al-Tawil, MuhammadMuhammad Rabbäh al-Tawil 5 September 1963 19 December 1965 4 2 years, 105 days
27 March 1966 13 November 1970 4 4 years, 231 days
al-Hafiz, AminAmin al-Hafiz 1 February 1964 19 December 1965 3 2 years, 321 days
Jadid, SalahSalah Jadid 1 February 1964 19 December 1965 4 1 year, 321 days
27 March 1966 13 November 1970 4 4 years, 231 days
Aysami, ShibliShibli Aysami 1 February 1964 17 March 1965 1 1 year, 44 days
Umran, MuhammadMuhammad Umran 1 February 1964 4 April 1965 1 1 year, 62 days
al-Karim al-Jundi, AbdAbd al-Karim al-Jundi 1 February 1964 4 April 1965 1 1 year, 62 days
1 August 1965 19 December 1965 1 140 days
27 March 1966 31 March 1969 3 3 years, 4 days
al-Ashuri, FahmiFahmi al-Ashuri 1 February 1964 4 April 1965 1 1 year, 62 days
al-Ali, SulaymänSulaymän al-Ali 1 February 1964 4 April 1965 1 1 year, 62 days
az-Zubi, MuhammadMuhammad az-Zubi 1 February 1964 19 December 1965 3 1 year, 321 days
27 March 1966 September 1966 1 158 days
al-Jundi, SamiSami al-Jundi 1 February 1964 4 April 1965 1 1 year, 62 days
Shiyya, JamilJamil Shiyya 1 February 1964 19 December 1965 3 1 year, 321 days
27 March 1966 September 1966 1 158 days
Zuaiyin, YusufYusuf Zuaiyin 1 February 1964 19 December 1965 3 1 year, 312 days
27 March 1966 13 November 1970 4 4 years, 231 days
aj-Jayyush, MahmudMahmud aj-Jayyush 1 February 1964 4 April 1965 1 1 year, 62 days
Taleb, al-Walidal-Walid Taleb 1 February 1964 4 April 1965 1 1 year, 62 days
Hadäd, HabïbHabïb Hadäd 4 April 1965 1 August 1965 1 119 days
27 March 1966 13 November 1970 4 4 years, 231 days
Rustum, MustafaMustafa Rustum 1 February 1964 4 April 1965 1 1 year, 303 days
27 March 1966 28 September 1968 3 2 years, 185 days
31 March 1969 13 November 1970 1 1 year, 227 days
Shümän, AdesänAdesän Shümän 4 April 1965 1 August 1965 1 119 days
Tlass, MustafaMustafa Tlass 1 August 1965 19 December 1965 1 140 days
28 September 1968 9 June 2005 9 36 years, 251 days
Hatum, SalimSalim Hatum 1 August 1965 19 December 1965 1 140 days
Id Ashawi, MuhammadMuhammad Id Ashawi 1 August 1965 19 December 1965 1 140 days
27 March 1966 31 March 1969 4 3 years, 4 days
Habash, MarwanMarwan Habash 1 August 1965 19 December 1965 1 140 days
27 March 1966 13 November 1970 4 4 years, 231 days
al-Jüsem, FayizFayiz al-Jüsem 1 August 1965 19 December 1965 1 140 days
27 March 1966 28 September 1968 3 2 years, 185 days
Hayzah, HisämHisäm Hayzah 1 August 1965 19 December 1965 1 140 days
Suwaydini, AhmadAhmad Suwaydini 27 March 1966 February 1968 2 2 years, 185 days
Husayn, KämelKämel Husayn 27 March 1966 September 1966 1 158 days
Makhus, IbrahimIbrahim Makhus 27 March 1966 13 November 1970 4 4 years, 231 days
Hamid al-Miqdad, AbdulAbdul Hamid al-Miqdad September 1966 13 November 1970 3 4 years, 73 days
Muräd, HadithadHadithad Muräd September 1966 13 November 1970 3 4 years, 46 days
Said Taleb, MuhammadMuhammad Said Taleb September 1966 13 November 1970 3 4 years, 73 days
Naysah, AdelAdel Naysah 28 September 1968 31 March 1969 1 184 days
al-Qabbani, HamüdHamüd al-Qabbani 28 September 1968 13 November 1970 2 2 years, 46 days
Shaykh Qasim, AhmadAhmad Shaykh Qasim 31 March 1969 13 November 1970 1 1 year, 227 days
Kanju, AnisAnis Kanju 31 March 1969 13 November 1970 1 1 year, 227 days
Ghanf Ibrahim, AbdelAbdel Ghanf Ibrahim 13 November 1970 7 January 1980 3 9 years, 18 days
Jamil, NajiNaji Jamil 13 November 1970 March 1978 2 7 years, 108 days
Rahman Khleifawi, AbdulAbdul Rahman Khleifawi 13 November 1970 7 January 1980 3 9 years, 18 days
Halim Khaddam, AbdulAbdul Halim Khaddam 13 November 1970 9 June 2005 6 34 years, 208 days
al-Ahmar, AbdullahAbdullah al-Ahmar 13 November 1970 9 June 2005 6 34 years, 208 days
Ali al-Halabi, MuhammadMuhammad Ali al-Halabi 13 November 1970 7 January 1980 3 9 years, 18 days
al-Ayyubi, MahmoudMahmoud al-Ayyubi 13 November 1970 15 April 1975 2 4 years, 153 days
7 January 1980 20 January 1985 1 5 years, 50 days
Haydar, MuhammadMuhammad Haydar 13 November 1970 August 1975 2 4 years, 261 days
al-Khatib, AhmadAhmad al-Khatib 13 November 1970 15 April 1975 2 4 years, 153 days
Täleb Hilal, MuhammadMuhammad Täleb Hilal 13 November 1970 14 May 1971 1 182 days
ar-Raddäwi, DaudDaud ar-Raddäwi 13 November 1970 14 May 1971 1 182 days
al-Yuxufi, FahmiFahmi al-Yuxufi 13 November 1970 7 January 1980 3 9 years, 18 days
Karim Adl, AbdulAbdul Karim Adl 13 November 1970 15 April 1975 2 4 years, 153 days
Jaber Bajbouj, MohamadMohamad Jaber Bajbouj 14 May 1971 7 January 1980 2 8 years, 201 days
al-Kafri, JabeJabe al-Kafri 14 May 1971 15 April 1975 1 3 years, 336 days
al-Ahmad, AbdallahAbdallah al-Ahmad 14 May 1971 7 January 1980 2 8 years, 201 days
Shnän, MuibMuib Shnän 14 May 1971 7 January 1980 2 8 years, 201 days
Sanddiqni, GeorgeGeorge Sanddiqni 14 May 1971 7 January 1980 2 8 years, 201 days
Milhim, AdibAdib Milhim 14 May 1971 15 April 1975 1 3 years, 336 days
an-Naib, IsamIsam an-Naib 14 May 1971 15 April 1975 1 3 years, 336 days
al-Khayrat, TahaTaha al-Khayrat 14 May 1971 7 January 1980 2 8 years, 201 days
Mushariqa, ZuhairZuhair Mushariqa 15 April 1975 9 June 2005 3 30 years, 55 days
al-Assad, RifaatRifaat al-Assad 15 April 1975 8 February 1998 3 22 years, 299 days
Diyab, AhmadAhmad Diyab 15 April 1975 20 January 1985 2 9 years, 280 days
Hadid, MahmüdMahmüd Hadid 15 April 1975 7 January 1980 1 4 years, 230 days
al-Assad, YüsufYüsuf al-Assad 15 April 1975 7 January 1980 1 4 years, 230 days
al-Hasan, AhmadAhmad al-Hasan 15 April 1975 7 January 1980 1 4 years, 230 days
Hassün, NahïbNahïb Hassün 15 April 1975 7 January 1980 1 4 years, 230 days
Iskandar Ahmad, AhmadAhmad Iskandar Ahmad 7 January 1980 29 December 1983 1 4 years, 28 days
al-Shihabi, HikmatHikmat al-Shihabi 7 January 1980 July 1998 2 18 years, 212 days
Nasir, NasruddinNasruddin Nasir 7 January 1980 20 January 1985 1 5 years, 50 days
al-Qadir Qaddura, AbdAbd al-Qadir Qaddura 7 January 1980 9 June 2005 3 25 years, 190 days
Hamdun, WalidWalid Hamdun 7 January 1980 9 June 2005 3 25 years, 190 days
Salah, TawfiqTawfiq Salah 7 January 1980 21 June 2000 2 20 years, 203 days
Nasir, IzzuddinIzzuddin Nasir 7 January 1980 21 June 2000 2 20 years, 203 days
Zuabi, MahmoudMahmoud Zuabi 7 January 1980 21 June 2000 2 20 years, 203 days
Hamadi, SaidSaid Hamadi 7 January 1980 21 June 2000 2 20 years, 203 days
Tannus, WahibWahib Tannus 7 January 1980 21 June 2000 2 20 years, 203 days
Rauf al-Kasm, AbdulAbdul Rauf al-Kasm 7 January 1980 21 June 2000 2 20 years, 203 days
al-Lati, IlyasIlyas al-Lati 7 January 1980 20 January 1985 1 5 years, 50 days
Qaddah, SulaymanSulayman Qaddah 7 January 1980 9 June 2005 2 25 years, 190 days
Qabalan, AhmadAhmad Qabalan 7 January 1980 21 June 2000 1 20 years, 203 days
al-Razzaq Ayyoub, AbdAbd al-Razzaq Ayyoub 20 January 1985 21 June 2000 1 15 years, 153 days
Dargham, AhmadAhmad Dargham 20 January 1985 9 June 2005 2 20 years, 140 days
Nasir, FayezFayez Nasir 20 January 1985 9 June 2005 2 20 years, 140 days
Akhtarini, RashidRashid Akhtarini 20 January 1985 21 June 2000 1 15 years, 153 days
al-Assad, BasharBashar al-Assad 21 June 2000 Incumbent 2 16 years, 178 days
Mustafa Mero, MuhammadMuhammad Mustafa Mero 21 June 2000 9 June 2005 1 5 years, 0 days
Naji al-Otari, MuhammadMuhammad Naji al-Otari 21 June 2000 8 July 2013 2 13 years, 17 days
al-Sharaa, FaroukFarouk al-Sharaa 21 June 2000 8 July 2013 2 13 years, 17 days
Yasin, Salim SaidSalim Said Yasin 21 June 2000 8 December 2001 1 1 year, 170 days
Hneidi, IbrahimIbrahim Hneidi 21 June 2000 9 June 2005 1 5 years, 0 days
Abu Shamat, FaruqFaruq Abu Shamat 21 June 2000 9 June 2005 1 5 years, 0 days
Barakat, GhiyabGhiyab Barakat 21 June 2000 9 June 2005 1 5 years, 0 days
al-Bouz, WalidWalid al-Bouz 21 June 2000 9 June 2005 1 5 years, 0 days
al-Hussein, MohammadMohammad al-Hussein 21 June 2000 8 July 2013 2 13 years, 17 days
Shaddoud, MajedMajed Shaddoud 21 June 2000 9 June 2005 1 5 years, 0 days
Saeed Bekheitan, MohammedMohammed Saeed Bekheitan 21 June 2000 8 July 2013 2 13 years, 17 days
Turkmani, HassanHassan Turkmani 9 June 2005 18 July 2012 1 8 years, 29 days
Ikhtiyar, HishamHisham Ikhtiyar 9 June 2005 20 July 2012 1 8 years, 29 days
bin Hamed Adi, OsamaOsama bin Hamed Adi 9 June 2005 8 July 2013 1 8 years, 29 days
Tawfiq Hourieh, YasserYasser Tawfiq Hourieh 9 June 2005 8 July 2013 1 8 years, 29 days
Janbieh, BassamBassam Janbieh 9 June 2005 8 July 2013 1 8 years, 29 days
Daoud Eliya, SaidSaid Daoud Eliya 9 June 2005 8 July 2013 1 8 years, 29 days
Satayhi, HaithamHaitham Satayhi 9 June 2005 8 July 2013 1 8 years, 29 days
Fakoush, ShahinazShahinaz Fakoush 9 June 2005 8 July 2013 1 8 years, 29 days
Nader al-Halqi, WaelWael Nader al-Halqi 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
Jihad al-Laham, MohammadMohammad Jihad al-Laham 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
Saati, AmmarAmmar Saati 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
Khamis, ImadImad Khamis 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
Shaaban Azzouz, MohammadMohammad Shaaban Azzouz 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
Hilal, HilalHilal Hilal 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
Shafi, Abdul-NasserAbdul-Nasser Shafi 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
al-Mashlab, Abdul-Mo'tiAbdul-Mo'ti al-Mashlab 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
Moussa, FairouzFairouz Moussa 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
al-Shoufi, RakanRakan al-Shoufi 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
al-Ahmad, YoussefYoussef al-Ahmad 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
al-Ahmad, NajmNajm al-Ahmad 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
al-Miftah, KhalafKhalaf al-Miftah 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
Arnous, HusseinHussein Arnous 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days
Ali, MalekMalek Ali 8 July 2013 Incumbent 1 3 years, 161 days

References

  1. ↑ FRD 2004, p. 215.
  2. ↑ Perthes 1997, p. 140].
  3. ↑ Perthes 1997, p. 140.
  4. 1 2 Rabinovich 1972, p. 148.
  5. 1 2 Seale 1990, p. 99.
  6. ↑ George 2003, p. 73.
  7. ↑ George 2003, p. 77.
  8. 1 2 3 George 2003, p. 73.
  9. ↑ George 2003, p. 69.
  10. ↑ Zîser 2007, p. 70.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jouejati 2006, p. 16.
  12. ↑ Bar 2006, p. 434.
  13. 1 2 FRD 2004, pp. 211–212.

Bibliography

Journals and papers
Books
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