Shukri Al-Kuwatli

Shukri Al-Kuwatli (Arab: شكريالقوتلي) (born in 1891 with Damas, in Syria, dead the June 30th 1967 with Beirut with the Lebanon) was the president of Syria of 1943 with 1949 and of 1955 with 1958.

Kuwatli made its entry in the Syrian policy in the Années 1930 within the national Bloc, a coalition of Arab parties opposed to the French Mandat in Syria.

When it was young, it belonged to party Al-Fatat, a political movement of opposition to the Ottoman Empire. It was stopped for its activities within the party in 1916. Released of prison after the end of the First World War, it enters the government of the king Faiçal I.

When the French mandate was proclaimed in Syria, in July 1920, Kuwatli was condemned died. It was initially run away in Egypt, then in Suisse with Geneva where it founded a political movement with other nationalists (of which Chekib Arslan) the syro-Palestinian Committee.

It turns over to Syria in 1924 and takes part in the Syrian revolt of 1925 - 1927. Again exiled in 1927, it turns over to Syria at the time of a general amnesty in 1931.

Kuwatli was then a associate and one protected from the Syrian president, Hachem Al-Atassi. Atassi resigns of its position of president of the republic in 1939, in opposition to the French authorities.

The national Block remained the dominant expression of Syrian nationalism, and when elections again took place in Syria, in 1943, it is Kuwatli, candidate of the national Block which gain them. Its first concern is to sign a treaty with France so that the French and British soldiers leave Syria. In 1946, all the foreign troops are evacuated.

After an amendment of the Syrian constitution, Kuwatli is re-elected second once, in 1948.

After the Israeli victory at the time of the Israeli-Arab War of 1948, and by the general dissatisfaction which reigns in Syria this year, it is reversed by a Coup d'etat carried out by the colonel Husni Al-Zaim in March 1949. After a short imprisonment, it is exiled in Egypt while waiting for an occasion to regain its country, whereas at the same time a series of coups d'etat paralyze Syria.

Free elections have the new ones take place in 1955 and Kuwatli, with the head of the national party (successor of the national Block) is re-elected president of the republic. But as a president it does not have to be able much any more, it influences especially the Syrian interior policy. In 1958, under the influence of the Arab Nationalism Syria and Egypt amalgamates for creates the United Arab Republic, Kuwatli being assistant president of the country with Nasser. In 1959, following a dissension with Nasser it is again countered with the exile.

This event marks the end of its political career. He dies in 1967 with Beirut, his body is repatriated in Syria, with Damas where great funeral is organized in its honor.

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