nventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic
conventional short form: Syria
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah
local short form: Suriyah
former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt)

Digraph: SY

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)

National holiday: National Day, 17 April (1946)

Constitution: 13 March 1973

Legal system: based on Islamic law and civil law system; special
religious courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Hafiz al-ASAD (since 22 February 1971 see
note); Vice Presidents 'Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM, Rif'at al-ASAD,
and Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984); election last
held 2 December 1991 (next to be held NA December 1998); results -
President Hafiz al-ASAD was reelected for a fourth seven-year term
with 99.98% of the vote; note - President ASAD seized power in the
November 1970 coup, assumed presidential powers 22 February 1971, and
was confirmed as president in the 12 March 1971 national elections
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 Rashid AKHTARINI (since 4 July 1992)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
People's Council (Majlis al-Chaab): elections last held 24-25 August
1994 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (250 total) National Progressive Front 167, independents 83

Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court, High Judicial Council,
Court of Cassation, State Security Courts

Political parties and leaders:
National Progressive Front includes: the ruling Arab Socialist
Resurrectionist (Ba'th) Party, Hafiz al-ASAD, President of the
Republic, Secretary General of the party, and Chairman of the National
Progressive Front; Syrian Arab Socialist Party (ASP), 'Abd al-Ghani
KANNUT; Arab Socialist Union