Government (Syria)
==================


     Long-form name:
         Syrian Arab Republic
     Type:
         republic; under leftwing military regime since March 1963
     Capital:
         Damascus
     Administrative divisions:
         14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah,
         Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar`a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab,
         Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, Tartus
     Independence:
         17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration);
         formerly United Arab Republic
     Constitution:
         13 March 1973
     Legal system:
         based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious courts; has not
         accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
     National holiday:
         National Day, 17 April (1946)
     Executive branch:
         president, three vice presidents, prime minister, three deputy prime
         ministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
     Legislative branch:
         unicameral People's Council (Majlis al-Chaab)
     Judicial branch:
         Supreme Constitutional Court, High Judicial Council, Court of Cassation,
         State Security Courts
     Leaders:
       Chief of State:
         President Hafiz al-ASAD (since 22 February 1971); Vice Presidents `Abd
         al-Halim KHADDAM, Vice President Rif`at al-ASAD, and Vice President Muhammad
         Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984)
       Head of Government:
         Prime Minister Mahmud ZU`BI (since 1 November 1987); Deputy Prime Minister
         Lt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March 1984); Deputy Prime Minister Salim
         YASIN (since NA December 1981); Deputy Prime Minister Mahmud QADDUR (since
         NA May 1985)
     Political parties and leaders:
         ruling party is the Arab Socialist Resurrectionist (Ba`th) Party; the
         Progressive National Front is dominated by Ba`thists but includes
         independents and members of the Syrian Arab Socialist Party (ASP), Arab
         Socialist Union (ASU), Syrian Communist Party (SCP), Arab Socialist Unionist
         Movement, and Democratic Socialist Union Party
     Suffrage:
         universal at age 18
     Elections:
       President:
         last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held December 1998); results -
         President Hafiz al-ASAD was reelected for a fourth seven-year term with
         99.98% of the vote
       People's Council:
         last held 22-23 May 1990 (next to be held NA May 1994); results - Ba`th
         53.6%, ASU 3.2%, SCP 3.2%, Arab Socialist Unionist Movement 2.8%, ASP 2%,
         Democratic Socialist Union Party 1.6%, independents 33.6%; seats - (250
         total) Ba`th 134, ASU 8, SCP 8, Arab Socialist Unionist Movement 7, ASP 5,
         Democratic Socialist Union Party 4, independents 84; note - the People's
         Council was expanded to 250 seats total prior to the May 1990 election