National Command of the Ba'ath Party

Last updated

The National Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party was the ruling organ of the Ba'ath Party between sessions of the National Congress, and was headed by a secretary general. [1] Between National Congresses, the National Command was held accountable by the National Consultative Council (Arabic: al-majlis al-istishari al-quami). [2] The National Consultative Council was a forum made up of representatives from the party's regional branches. [2] However, the number of National Consultative Council members were decided by the size of the regional branch. [2] The National Congress elected the National Command, National Tribunal, the party's discipline body, and the secretary general, the party leader. [2] The congress delegates determined the party's policies and procedures. [2]

Contents

The National Command had sweeping authority. [3] The National Congress was the only body which could hold a vote of confidence against the National Command. [3] It had the authority to establish party organizations, to direct the affairs of subordinate party organs which, according to the party's Internal Rules, could not "for any reason direct themselves", the authority to elect and dissolve a Regional Command, to approve party-to-party cooperation, to approve of the party's participation in government and legislative assemblies, to publish works in the party's name, to direct party policy on international affairs and decide on all matters regarding party policy. [3] Because of these responsibilities several National Command organs were established, such as the Secretariat and the National Liaisons Office. [3]

Before 1954, the party was ruled by the Executive Committee, but this organ, along with others, were replaced at the 2nd National Congress (for more, see "Structure" section). [1] In Ba'athist jargon "Nation" means the Arab Nation, and because of that, the National Command formed the highest policy-making and coordinating council for the Ba'ath movement throughout the Arab world. [1] The National Command had several bureaus, similar to those of the Regional Command. [2] National Command sessions were held monthly. [2] Of these, the National Liaisons Office was responsible for maintaining contact with the party's Regional Branches. [4]

Structure

Members

Members of the Executive Committee and the 2nd–8th National Commands
NameTook officeLeft officeRepresenting
(Regional Branch)		Term(s)DurationNote
Michel Aflaq 6 April 194723 February 1966 Syria 818 years, 323 daysServed as the party's Secretary General from 1947 to 1965.
Salah al-Din al-Bitar 6 April 19471 September 1959 Syria 212 years, 148 days
—
Jalil al-Sayyide 6 April 1947June 1954
—
17 years, 56 days
—
Wahib al-Ghanim 6 April 19471952 Syria 14 years, 270 days
—
Midhat al-Bitar 19491952
—
13 years, 0 days
—
Fuysal ar-Rikte 19491952
—
13 years, 0 days
—
Abdul Rahman Mandhur 19491952
—
13 years, 0 days
—
Akram al-Hawrani 19521 September 1959 Syria 17 years, 243 daysThe former leader of the Arab Socialist Party.
Attun Mandisi 1952June 1954
—
12 years, 151 daysA politician from the Arab Socialist Party.
Fuad al-Rikabi June 1954August 1960 Iraq 26 years, 61 daysServed as the Regional Secretary of the Iraqi Regional Branch.
Ali Jabir June 195423 October 1964 Lebanon 49 years, 144 daysServed as the Regional Secretary of the Lebanese Regional Branch.
Abdullah Rimawi June 19541 September 1959 Jordan 15 years, 92 daysServed as the Regional Secretary of the Jordanese Regional Branch.
Abdallah Na'was June 19541 September 1959 Jordan 15 years, 92 days
—
Abd al-Wahhab Shumitli 1 September 1959May 1962 Lebanon 22 years, 242 days
—
Ghassan Shararah 1 September 1959May 1962 Lebanon 22 years, 242 days
—
Talib El-Shibib 1 September 1959May 1962 Iraq 22 years, 242 daysServed as the Regional Secretary of the Iraqi Regional Branch.
Sa'dun Hammadi 1 September 1959May 1962 Iraq 22 years, 242 days
—
Khaled Yashruti 1 September 195923 October 1963 Palestine 34 years, 52 daysWas elected to the National Command at the 3rd National Congress as a Lebanese Regional Branch representative.
Munif al-Razzaz 1 September 195923 February 1966 Jordan 56 years, 175 daysServed as the party's Secretary General from 1965 to 1966.
Amin Shuqayr 1 September 1959August 1960 Jordan 1335 days
—
May 196223 October 1963 Jordan 11 year, 175 days
Faysal Habib Khayzaran August 1960May 1962 Iraq 11 year, 273 days
—
Khalid Ali Salih Dulaymi August 1960May 1962 Iraq 11 year, 273 days
—
Ghalib Yaghi August 1960May 1962 Lebanon 11 year, 273 days
—
Ali Salih al-Sadi May 196218 February 1964 Iraq 21 year, 293 daysServed as the Regional Secretary of the Iraqi Regional Branch.
Hamid Abd al-Majid May 196218 February 1964 Iraq 21 year, 293 daysServed as the Regional Secretary of the Iraqi Regional Branch.
Jibran Majdalani May 196223 February 1966 Lebanon 43 years, 298 days
—
Abd al-Majid Rafi May 196223 October 1963 Lebanon 11 year, 175 daysServed as the Regional Secretary of the Lebanese Regional Branch.
18 February 1964April 1965 Lebanon 11 year, 42 days
Khalid al-Ali May 1962April 1965 Lebanon 32 years, 335 days
—
Amin al-Hafiz 23 October 196323 February 1966 Syria 32 years, 123 daysServed as the Regional Secretary of the Syrian Regional Branch.
Salah Jadid 23 October 196323 February 1966 Syria 32 years, 123 daysServed as the Assistant Regional Secretary of the Syrian Regional Branch.
Hammud al-Shufi 23 October 196318 February 1964 Syria 1118 daysServed as the Regional Secretary of the Syrian Regional Branch.
Muhsin Shaykh Radi 23 October 196318 February 1964 Iraq 1118 days
—
Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr 23 October 196323 February 1966 Iraq 32 years, 123 daysServed as the Regional Secretary of the Iraqi Regional Branch.
Salih Mahdi Ammash 23 October 196318 February 1964 Iraq 1118 days
—
Abd al-Muhsin Abu Mayzar 23 October 196318 February 1964 Jordan 1118 days
—
Muhammad Umran 18 February 1964May 1965 Syria 11 year, 73 days
—
Mansur al-Atrash 18 February 196423 February 1966 Syria 12 years, 5 days
—
Shibli al-Aysami 18 February 196423 February 1966 Syria 12 years, 5 days
—
Ali Khalil 18 February 196423 February 1966 Lebanon 22 years, 5 days
—
Ali Ghannam 18 February 196423 February 1966 Saudi Arabia 22 years, 5 days
—
Hafez al-Assad May 196523 February 1966 Syria 1328 days
—
Brahim Makhous May 196523 February 1966 Syria 1328 days
—

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hafez al-Assad</span> President of Syria from 1971 to 2000

Hafez al-Assad was a Syrian statesman, military officer and revolutionary who served as the 18th president of Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000. He had previously served as prime minister of Syria from 1970 to 1971 as well as regional secretary of the regional command of the Syrian regional branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party and secretary general of the National Command of the Ba'ath Party from 1970 to 2000. Hafez al-Assad was a key participant in the 1963 Syrian coup d'état, which brought the Syrian regional branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party to power in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ba'ath Party</span> Syrian political party (1947–1966)

The Arab Socialist Baʿth Party was a political party founded in Syria by Mishel ʿAflaq, Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn al-Bīṭār, and associates of Zakī al-ʾArsūzī. The party espoused Baʿathism, which is an ideology mixing Arab nationalist, pan-Arab, Arab socialist, and anti-imperialist interests. Baʿthism calls for the unification of the Arab world into a single state. Its motto, "Unity, Liberty, Socialism", refers to Arab unity, and freedom from non-Arab control and interference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michel Aflaq</span> Syrian philosopher, sociologist and Arab nationalist (1910–1989)

Michel Aflaq was a Syrian philosopher, sociologist and Arab nationalist. His ideas played a significant role in the development of Ba'athism and its political movement; he is considered by several Ba'athists to be the principal founder of Ba'athist thought. He published various books during his lifetime, such as "The Road to Renaissance" (1940), The Battle for One Destiny (1958) and The Struggle Against Distorting the Movement of Arab Revolution (1975).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salah al-Din al-Bitar</span> Syrian politician (1912-1980)

Salah al-Din al-Bitar was a Syrian politician who co-founded the Baʿath Party with Michel Aflaq in the early 1940s. As students in Paris in the early 1930s, the two formulated a doctrine that combined aspects of nationalism and socialism. Bitar later served as prime minister in several early Ba'athist governments in Syria but became alienated from the party as it grew more radical. In 1966 he fled the country, lived mostly in Europe and remained politically active until he was assassinated in Paris in 1980 by unidentified hitmen linked to the regime of Hafez al-Assad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1966 Syrian coup d'état</span> 21–23 February overthrow of government

The 1966 Syrian coup d'état refers to events between 21 and 23 February during which the government of the Syrian Arab Republic was overthrown and replaced. The ruling National Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party were removed from power by a union of the party's Military Committee and the Regional Command, under the leadership of Salah Jadid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1963 Syrian coup d'état</span> Overthrow of Syrian Prime Minister Nazim al-Qudsi by the Baath Party

The 1963 Syrian coup d'état, referred to by the Syrian government as the 8 March Revolution, was the seizure of power in Syria by the military committee of the Syrian Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. The planning and the unfolding conspiracy of the Syrian Ba'athist operatives were prompted by the Ba'ath party's seizure of power in Iraq in February 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ba'ath Party (Iraqi-dominated faction)</span> Iraqi-dominated faction of the Baath party

The Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, also referred to as the pro-Iraqi Ba'ath movement, is a neo-Ba'athist political party which was headquartered in Baghdad, Iraq, until 2003. It is one of two parties which emerged from the 1966 split of the original Ba'ath Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ba'ath Party (Syrian-dominated faction)</span> Syrian-dominated faction of the Baath party

The Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, also referred to as the pro-Syrian Ba'ath movement, is a neo-Ba'athist political party with branches across the Arab world. The party emerged from a split in the Ba'ath Party in February 1966 and leads the government in Syria. From 1970 until 2000, the party was led by the Syrian president and Secretary General Hafez al-Assad. Until October 2018, leadership has been shared between his son Bashar al-Assad and Abdullah al-Ahmar. In 2017, after the reunification of the National and Regional Command, Bashar al-Assad became the Secretary General of the Central Command. The Syrian branch of the Party is the largest organisation within the Syrian-led Ba'ath Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Socialist Arab Lebanon Vanguard Party</span> Political party in Lebanon

The Socialist Arab Lebanon Vanguard Party is a political party in Lebanon. The party was led by Abd al-Majid al-Rafei until his death in July 2017. It is the Lebanese regional branch of the Iraqi-led Ba'ath Party. The party held its second congress in October 2011. Founders of the party included Dr. Abd al-Majid al-Rafe'ii, Jihad George Karam, Rafiq Naseeb al-Faqih,Rashid Abo Falah,Karam Mohamed al-Sahili, Hani Mohammad Sho'aib, Ammar Mohammad Shibli, Hassan Khalil Gharib and Wassef El Harakeh. Although formally affiliated to the Sunni-dominated regime in Baghdad, the majority of the party's members were Lebanese Shiites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Iraq Region</span> Post-split Iraqi Baathist political party

The Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Iraq Region, officially the Iraqi Regional Branch, is an Iraqi Ba'athist political party founded in 1951 by Fuad al-Rikabi. It was the Iraqi regional branch of the original Ba'ath Party, before changing its allegiance to the Iraqi-dominated Ba'ath movement following the 1966 split within the original party. The party was officially banned following the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, but despite this it still continues to function underground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fuad al-Rikabi</span> Baathist politician

Fuad al-Rikabi was an Iraqi politician and the founder of the Iraqi Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. Al-Rikabi became the Secretary of Iraqi Regional Command of the Ba'ath Party in 1954 and held the post until 1959. Throughout his term of leadership, the Iraqi Regional Branch expanded its membership and became a leading party in Iraq's political landscape. Following the 14 July Revolution of 1958 which toppled the monarchy, al-Rikabi was appointed Minister of Development in Abd al-Karim Qasim's unity government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region</span> Political party in Syria

The Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region, officially the Syrian Regional Branch, is a neo-Ba'athist organisation founded on 7 April 1947 by Michel Aflaq, Salah al-Din al-Bitar and followers of Zaki al-Arsuzi. The party has ruled Syria continuously since the 1963 Syrian coup d'état which brought the Ba'athists to power. It was first the regional branch of the original Ba'ath Party (1947–1966) before it changed its allegiance to the Syrian-dominated Ba'ath movement (1966–present) following the 1966 split within the original Ba'ath Party. Since their ascent to power in 1963, neo-Ba'athist officers proceeded by stamping out the traditional civilian elites to construct a military dictatorship operating in totalitarian lines; wherein all state agencies, party organisations, public institutions, civil entities, media and health infrastructure are tightly dominated by the army establishment and the Mukhabarat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munif Razzaz</span> Syrian politician

Munif al-Razzaz was a Jordanian-Syrian physician and politician who was the second, and last, Secretary General of the National Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, having been elected to the post at the 8th National Congress held in April 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mansur al-Atrash</span> Syrian politician

Mansur al-Atrash was a Syrian politician and journalist. Together with fellow university students, Atrash became a founding member of the Ba'ath Party and its Syrian regional branch in 1947. During the presidency of Adib Shishakli (1951–54), he became an anti-government activist and was imprisoned twice, only to be released in an unsuccessful attempt by Shishakli to gain the support of Atrash's father, Sultan. In the year Shishakli was overthrown, Atrash was elected to parliament and turned down an offer to serve in Said al-Ghazzi's government. During the period of the United Arab Republic (1958–61), Atrash became a strong supporter of Egyptian president and pan-Arab leader Gamal Abdel Nasser. He opposed Syria's secession from the UAR and turned down offers to serve in successive separatist governments in protest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muhammad Umran</span> Syrian general and politician (1922-1972)

Major General Muhammad Umran was a Syrian general and a founding member of the Military Committee of the unitary Ba'ath Party. He was a leading personality in Syrian politics from the 1963 Syrian coup d'état until the 1966 coup d'état.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region</span> Ruling organ of the Syrian Baathist party and of the Syrian-led Baathist movement

The Central Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, which was established through the merger of the National Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party and the Regional Command of the Syrian Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party in 2018, is the ruling organ of the Ba'ath Party organization in Syria and the Syrian-led Ba'athist movement. Its predecessor, the Regional Command, stems from Ba'athist ideology, where region literally means an Arab state. Until 2012, according to the Constitution of Syria, the Central Command had the power to nominate a candidate for President. While the constitution does not state that the Secretary-General of the Central 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 Secretary-General is the NPF President, but this is not stated in any legal document.

Hammud al-Shufi was a Syrian politician, and is mostly known for his short stint as Regional Secretary of the Regional Command of the Syrian Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party in the early-to-mid 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salim Hatum</span> Syrian politician

Salim Hatum was a Syrian Army officer who played a significant role in Syrian politics in the 1960s. A member of the Syrian Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, he was instrumental in the 1966 Syrian coup d'état that toppled the government of Amin al-Hafiz, also a Ba'athist. That same year he launched an insurrection from his home region of Jabal al-Druze against his colleagues who formed the new government but sidelined him from any major position. He fled Syria amid a warrant for his arrest, but returned in 1967 and was subsequently jailed and executed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Ba'ath Party</span>

This article details the history of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party from its founding in 1947 to its dissolution in the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region</span> Aspect of Syrian political history

This article details the history of the Syrian Regional Branch of the Ba'ath Party.

References

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.