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
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)

*Syria, Government

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 see note); Vice Presidents
'Abd al-Halim KHADDAM, Rif'at al-ASAD, and Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since
11 March 1984); 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)
Member of:
ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU,
LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Walid MOUALEM
chancery:
2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 232-6313
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Christopher W. S. ROSS
embassy:
Abu Rumaneh, Al Mansur Street No. 2, Damascus
mailing address:
P. O. Box 29, Damascus
telephone:
[963] (11) 333052 or 332557, 330416, 332814, 332315, 714108, 337178, 333232
FAX:
[963] (11) 718687
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with two small
green