National Command of the Ba'ath Party

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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 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
—
Ibrahim Makhous May 196523 February 1966 Syria 1328 days
—

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References

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