Shukri al-Quwatli

Shurkri al-Quwatli (1891 - June 30, 1967) is best known as the first president of an independent Syria. In 1920, the Kingdom of Syria was established. Making it the first Arab state to rise during the colonial era. It had freed it's self from French Rule. Shurkri was a government official who co-founded the Republican Independence Party. The same year, the French reclaimed control of Syria, and sentenced Shurkri to death. He financed the Great Revolt, and afterwards, was pardonded, and allowed to return to Syria where he was elected President in 1943. He was overthrown in a military coup after re-election in 1948, yet returned in 1955 and was again elected President of Syria. Amid a growing left wing governmetn, President Shurkri adopted a stance of neutralism duirng the Cold War. Realizing the great power of the Soviet Union was pressuring the state, he joined Syria with Egypt to form the United Arab Republic. However, it became apparent to him that Egypt had turned Syria into a Police State. Calling again for the freedom of his people he lead a secessionalist movement, with further plans to continue his presidency, yet, another term never came to be. Syria was defeated n the Six Day War,and Shurkri perished of a heart attack. He was given a hero's funeral in Damascus.