Mamoun Chafic Kuzbari was born in January 1914 in Damascus, Syria. His early life was characterised by the extreme love and dedication shown to him and his siblings by his recently widowed mother, Shahira Khalil Al Samman. His father, Chafic Nouri Kuzbari, passed away shortly after the end of World War I, as a result of typhus. Despite the loss of her husband at the mere age of 21, Shahira Al Samman recovered bravely and raised her three children without succumbing to the pressure to remarry in spite of her numerous options to do so. 

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In his recollections, Mamoun Kuzbari describes a very stable and educationally driven youth. Both Mamoun and his brother Ayman succeeded at their first school where they were taught the Holy Quran under the guidance of Sheikh Abu Alkhair Al Dalati.

The brothers completed their secondary school education together at the Marist Brothers School (Frères Maristes) in Al Salihiya. Shortly after, they moved with their mother to Beirut to pursue their higher education. Mamoun Kuzbari enrolled in the French Faculty in Law, earning three awards of excellence for his performance in the study of Civil Law. After graduating in 1936, Mamoun Kuzbari embarked on a career as a lawyer that would span decades and ultimately set up the foundations for his future work in politics.

Read more about his early life in his recollections by clicking here

While studying at the French Faculty of Law, Mamoun Kuzbari was taught by the respected Professor Charles Fabia. The pair formed a close bond owing, in part, to the Professor’s role in defending his mother, Shahira Al Samman, in a case of civil fraud. A family member had tried to cheat Kuzbari’s mother from land that was left to her by her late husband. In fact, Kuzbari was able to work directly on the case while studying at the Faculty of Law, helping Professor Fabia ultimately succeed in regaining the land for his mother (read the full court judgement here).

Following his graduation from the Faculty of Law, Professor Charles Fabia took Mamoun Kuzbari under his wing at the Beirut Bar Association (where Kuzbari practiced between 1937 and 1942). Under Professor Fabia, Kuzbari further expanded his legal practice to include Roman and Commercial Law. Kuzbari gained a reputation as a highly skilled advocate who was widely respected for his honesty and integrity.

While at the Beirut Bar Association, Kuzbari continued his studies and gained a Doctorate of Law from the University of Lyon. His PhD thesis was based on the nominal aspects of Civil Legislation in Syria and Lebanon. Despite living in Beirut Kuzbari also maintained a legal practice in Damascus, due to the demand for French speaking lawyers in Syria at the time. 

In 1942, at the age of 28, Kuzbari relocated back to Damascus following his five years of practice in Beirut. He continued as a lawyer in Damascus while also taking on a position at the Faculty of Law. In this academic role, he initially lectured on Property Law. Then, recognising the need for Syrian students to get accustomed to French references for their future careers, he designed and taught a course in French on ‘the Science of Legal Studies’, on which he published a textbook to accompany the course. ‘Généralités préliminaires a l'étude du droit’ (‘a Preliminary Overview of the Study of Law’) was Kuzbari’s first published book in 1948. 

A second edition of this text was eventually republished in 1956 (PER23), co-authored by Rizkallah Antaki.

In 1948, Mamoun Kuzbari also authored another major legal work, entitled ‘التشريع العقاري’ - on the subject of ‘Property Law’ in Syria. It was published by the Syrian University Press (a copy of which is still stored in the Library of Congress). 

In addition to his position as Professor at the University of Damascus and his private practice, Kuzbari also served as legal counsel for the Department of State Property, he was initially appointed to this position in 1948. He also held similar posts for the Ministry of Public Works in 1950 and for the Treasury between 1950 and 1953. 

Furthermore, during this period, Kuzbari published his 3rd and 4th books. In 1951, he authored ‘الحقوق المدنية السورية’ - on the subject of ‘Civil Law in Syria’. It was published by the Syrian University Press (a copy of which is still stored in the Library of Congress) Click here to see the front cover of the book. Then, in 1953, he published ‘La Simulation en Droit Civil Syrien et Libanais’ (‘Simulation in Syrian and Lebanese Civil Law’). 

Mamoun Kuzbari first became involved in politics in the early 1950s during the Presidency of Adib Al Shishakli. In the run up to the 1953 Parliamentary elections, Kuzbari was asked by Doctor Munir Shora, the Arab Liberation Movement’s Damascene General Secretary and a colleague of Kuzbari’s from the University of Damascus, to run for a seat in the House of Representatives. 

Kuzbari ran in his local district, Damascus, and was successful in winning a seat in Parliament in the 1953 election. Kuzbari was also elected Speaker of the House by his colleagues in the House of Representatives, beating out Hani Al Rayes for the position. 

Read more about his inauguration in his recollections by clicking here

On 25th February 1954, President Shishakli was challenged by a mutiny of various elements of the Syrian Army. Wanting to avoid a greater conflict erupting between opposing factions of the Army and also facing pressure from the Chief of his General Staff, Commander Shuqair, Shishakli tendered his resignation as President to Kuzbari, who accepted the resignation in his role as Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

In accordance with the Syrian Constitution, Kuzbari called a session of the House of Representatives to submit Shishakli’s resignation to the Parliament officially. In doing so, Kuzbari would also take on the role as Acting President of Syria as per Article 89 of the Constitution of the time. After having agreed with the General Command of the Armed Forces, those that were still loyal to the Government, how they would announce the news to the Syrian public that Shishakli had resigned, Kuzbari and Shukair, the Chief of the General Staff, further agreed that they should release any and all detained politicians as soon as possible and have a meeting the following day at Parliament. 

As he writes in his recollections:

“Whilst at the General Staff, Commander Shukair asked what my views were regarding the situation and what potential measures we might consider. I suggested that there were two options: 

One, to leave it to the Army to take charge and assume all powers until political leaders find an appropriate solution. 

Two, to resort to the Constitution and call for Presidential elections as soon as possible. If dissolution of Parliament was deemed necessary, then the House itself can pass a dissolution motion, as there was no doubt that the MPs had the best interest of the country in mind, therefore, they would not hold on to their seats if it was not for the common good. 

If leaders and political establishments of the country wished to dissolve or amend the Constitution, then this could be achieved through a public referendum to granted the elected House of Representative the right to amend it. The Chief of Staff was clear that he believed it was necessary to resort to legitimate approaches rather than realistic ones. I doubt that this was his genuine view. We agreed, before parting, that the detained politicians should be released and the he would phone to consult them prior to our meeting at 9.00 AM on Friday at Parliament to convey their views to me.” 

Read more about the events of 25th and 26th February 1954 in the recollections by clicking here

The following day, 26th February 1954, Kuzbari scheduled a session in the House of Representatives in order to officially tender Shishakli’s resignation.

Kuzbari addressed the House of Representatives, first reading out Shishakli’s resignation letter to the gathered Parliamentarians (read a copy of Shishakli’s letter here) before then himself addressing his colleagues, stating:

“His Excellency, the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, has submitted his resignation, considering the circumstances that we are all aware of, to avert bloodshed, maintain the unity and coherence of the army, and protect our beloved country from the disastrous repercussions and great evil. Under these circumstances and pursuant to Article 89 of the Constitution, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall temporarily exercise the powers of Acting President of the Syrian Arab Republic.”

Read Kuzbari’s full speech here

Kuzbari’s only signature as Acting President of Syria was when he accepted the resignation of the Minister of Defence shortly before stepping down himself. 

Read more about the events of 26th February 1954 in the recollections by clicking here

Kuzbari then made contact with former President Hashim al-Atassi in Homs, who had formed the last Government before Shishakli came to power, whom he encouraged to return to Damascus. In his resignation speech, which he delivered on Radio Damascus, he thanked both the Syrian people for their patience and the Army for their willingness to cooperate in avoiding conflict and the release of any political prisoners. He emphasises his pride in the transitional Government meeting its obligations, namely ensuring a smooth and orderly transfer of power and the continuity of civilian leadership in the face of mounting military pressure.

Read Kuzbari’s full speech here

Ultimately, with the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that Kuzbari’s actions on the 25th and 26th February 1954 were significant. Crucially, he ensured that President al-Atassi was able to return to Damascus to assume the Presidency without any larger outbreak of conflict or loss of life.

As he writes in his recollections: “I had two main concerns; one, to prevent those officers from taking a reckless action that might lead to dire consequences. Two, to make sure there was no power vacuum; to persevere despite all risks and continue to exercise my powers until they were transferred to the political leaders who were gathering in Homs at the time.”

Following Shishakli’s decision to resign and depart Syria, Kuzbari was appointed head of the Arab Liberation Movement, a position he maintained until the subsequent elections. In the immediate aftermath of the change of Government, Kuzbari was purged from the Legal Faculty of the University of Damascus. A partisan political decision based on his participation in the Shishakli Government. Although this did not deter Kuzbari from once more running for Parliament in 1954.  During the 1954 Parliamentary elections, Kuzbari ran as an Independant and won a seat in the electoral district of Damascus. Following his re-election, on 1st October 1954, Kuzbari was reappointed as a Professor at the University of Damascus. In fact he recollects that “It is worth mentioning that most of the ministers who had signed the decree of my dismissal also signed the decree of my reappointment"

Shortly afterwards in February 1955, following a change of Government resulting in Sabri Al Asali replacing Faris al-Khoury as Prime Minister, Kuzbari was appointed as Minister of Justice in Asali’s cabinet.  It was in this role that he represented Syria at the 1955 Bandung Conference in Indonesia. While there, he participated in both the Political and Cultural sub-Committees. 

Read Kuzbari’s daily diaries from the Bandung trip here

Saeed Al Ghazzi later replaced Sabri Al Assali, in September 1955, as Prime Minister and subsequently shifted Kuzbari’s portfolio from Minister of Justice to Minister of Education. Kuzbari also briefly served as acting President of Damascus University in May 1956. He served as Minister of Education until June 1956 when there was another change of Government. While serving as Minister of Education, Kuzbari went on to author his 5th book in 1955, titled ‘القانون المدني: الحقوق العينية’ (‘Civil Law: Real Estate Law’). A second edition of this text was republished in 1962.

In 1956, Sabri Al Asali returned as Prime Minister replacing Saeed Al Ghazzi. As a result of a cabinet reshuffle, Kuzbari was appointed Minister of Justice, Labour and Social Affairs. Kuzbari continued to represent Syria abroad, and in his capacity as Minister delivered Syria’s address to the 39th session of the International Labour Organisation in Geneva (a copy of the speech is available here).

Kuzbari was also among the Syrian delegation to Cairo, headed by President Shukri al-Quwatli, which signed the unification declaration between the Governments of Egypt and Syria resulting in the formation of the United Arab Republic. Along with most other Ministers in the Syrian Cabinet, he was awarded the 'Distinction of the Nile' (وسام وشاح النيل) by the Egyptian Government and the 'National Ummayyad distinction' (وسام أمية الوطني) by the Syrian Government. Despite the relative calm that preceded the Unification in Syria, there had still been five changes of Government between the post-Shishakli 1954 elections and the 1958 Union with Egypt. Kuzbari was appointed Minister in three of those five Governments.

He remained relatively politically inactive during the Union. Kuzbari was honoured by the Damascus Bar Association in 1960, by being elected President by its members and also attended the 8th International Bar Association Conference in Salzburg, Austria conference as its official representative. He also attended the 6th conference of Arab lawyers in February 1960 in Cairo, the then Capital of the United Arab Republic. 

Kuzbari was thrust onto the political stage in September 1961 when, only hours after he had returned to Damascus from Basel where he had attended a Conference of the International Lawyers Association, there was an uprising against the Abdul Nasser dominated regime of the United Arab Republic. Kuzbari’s presence had been requested early on the morning of 29th September by a group of military officers who asked that he form a Government to lead the nation as they sought to secede from the United Arab Republic and reestablish an independent sovereign Syrian state.

On 29th September 1961, the Supreme Revolutionary Leadership of the Armed Forces issued Proclamation No. 17 which officially appointed Dr Mamoun Kuzbari as provisional Head of State.  Given the broad support for the uprising, Kuzbari was able to form a full cabinet within several hours and later that day issued Decree No. 1 of the provisional government which announced the formation of a cabinet and the names of the Ministers included. In addition to his role as President, Kuzbari also assumed the roles of Minister of Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Within days, Syria achieved diplomatic recognition from a number of states, including the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the USSR and the United States of America. On October 3rd, Syria officially requested to recover its seat at the United Nations.

Read more first-hand details of Kuzbari’s recollection of the 1961 Uprising by clicking here

His main objective was to re-establish an elected democratic Government through free and fair elections. Within days, Kuzbari announced that elections were to be scheduled for December of that year. In between the Uprising and the December elections, Kuzbari sought to enact policies that would help the Syrian people recover from the effects of Abdul Nasser’s policies during the United Arab Republic. Namely, he urgently requested a supply of grain from the United States to make up for the shortfall in domestic supply that had been siphoned to Egypt during the Union. He also pushed forward with a West German funded plan to build a dam on the Euphrates. Finally, under Kuzbari’s stewardship, Syrian women’s right to vote was solidified in law in late October 1961. Shortly before the December elections, Kuzbari stood down from his positions as President, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence in order to run for office. Although he was constitutionally not required to do so and was in fact encouraged by his colleagues in the Cabinet to remain in his position, Kuzbari wanted to participate in the elections as a civilian in order to guarantee a level playing field amongst all candidates. 

In the December 1961 elections, Kuzbari received the second most individual votes of the 191 candidates running for any of 17 Damascus constituencies. Having been comfortably elected as a Member of Parliament, he was also elected Speaker of the House by parliamentary colleagues, for the second time in his career, beating Jalal Al Sayyed, having received 117 votes while Al Sayyed received 47 votes.  Thus by the end of the year, Syria had re-established itself as a democracy and under Kuzbari’s leadership as Speaker of the House, along with Nazim al-Kudsi as President and Saeed Al Ghazzi as Prime Minister, sought to help the nation recover from the effects of the United Arab Republic. In January 1962, the newly elected House of Representatives repealed major sections of a July 1961 decree that had nationalised various industrial and commercial firms, in order to encourage business and stimulate the economy.

Unfortunately, the following period of Syrian history was marked by instability and a series of coup d'états instigated by increasingly authoritarian military officers. In March 1963, a group of military officers, led by Officers Al Nahlawi, Al Rifai and Al Huneidi launched a coup d'état in Syria. The officers immediately arrested many democratically elected politicians including Mamoun Kuzbari and President Nazim al-Kudsi. Kuzbari was forced by the military to resign from his positions as they increased their control over the country. Kuzbari was initially imprisoned without being charged and ultimately released several weeks later. However, he was re-arrested in May 1962, charged with attempting to compromise the State’s security and instigate an armed insurrection. 

Read more first-hand details of Kuzbari’s recollection of the 1962 Coup d'état by clicking here

On 26th May, Kuzbari was hauled in front of the Military Attorney General at the State Security Court on trumped up charges of conspiring against the safety of the state and the attempt to incite an armed revolt. He was then imprisoned. While in jail in June 1962, Kuzbari chronicled his daily life while imprisoned in a diary. He recounted his struggle in coming terms with his unjust imprisonment and his concern for the future of the Syrian state. Kuzbari was finally released on 9th June 1962 and returned to life as a private citizen. 

Click here to read the June 1962 Prison Diaries

This proved inconsequential as by March 1963, the military had initiated another coup d'état. The Baath party, led by Salah al Din al Bitar, took control of the Syrian Government. Upon hearing about the coup, Kuzbari decided to go into hiding for fear of being re-incarcerated. Kuzbari was vindicated for his caution as the coup’s military leaders o sent officers to his house on the very same day to imprison him. Further, they issued a warrant for Kuzbari’s arrest and even placed a bounty on his head of 25,000 Syrian Liras for any information leading to his capture. Kuzbari found refuge initially with various family members before he ultimately left Syria in April 1963. Kuzbari first made his way to Jordan before he boarded a commercial flight to Rome and then Nice where he settled for the next year.

Read more first-hand details of Kuzbari’s recollection of the 1963 Coup d'état by clicking here

While in Nice, Kuzbari was offered the opportunity to relocate to the Kingdom of Morocco where he was asked to supervise the creation of an Arabic Faculty of Law at the University of Rabat, an offer he accepted. Kuzbari also lectured on Civil Law while in Rabat and taught periodically at the Law Colleges of Casablanca and Marrakech. He also played a significant role in the arabisation of the Moroccan legal system in general and the propagation of the Arabic language in both Moroccan Universities and Courts. While teaching Kuzbari published a further four book titles, some of which are still used as references in Morocco today. Other than his academic work, in 1973 Kuzbari also oversaw the set up of a family operated aviation leasing business - United Aviation Services - of which he remained Chairman until the 1990s.

Kuzbari remained living between Morocco and France until 1992 when he retired from his academic positions at the Faculty of Law. He then lived in Paris until 1996, at which point he moved to Beirut where he lived until his death. Kuzbari managed to visit Damascus only once after his initial departure in 1963, visiting the city once in the late 1990’s to attend a private family event.

Mamoun Kuzbari passed away surrounded by his family in Beirut in March 1998, but was buried in his beloved Damascus. 

“The question I might ask is whether I made a mistake when I accepted the Presidency of the Council of Representatives during the rule of Adib Shishakli? 

Did I make a mistake in responding to the Uprising of 28 September 1961, when I accepted to form a Government and bear the responsibility of the rule during this era?

Some think I was right and find what I did as worthy of support and appreciation. Others think I made a mistake and what I did as worthy of criticism and denouncement. As for me, all I can say is that what I did was out of my love and loyalty to my country and out of my belief that all sacrifices are small if they are for the sake of the glory of our dear and beloved Syria.” 

Mamoun Kuzbari 1914-1998

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Mamoun Kuzbari was a true Syrian patriot. He was a man who consistently chose to prioritise his country’s interests over his own. In fact, Kuzbari’s brave and often difficult political decisions only served to handicap his personal life and professional life. His opposition to military rule and unwavering belief in democracy and the Syrian people’s right to liberty cost him his livelihood in Syria. His family remains fiercely proud of his legal and political work for Syria, and his legacy in attempting to guide the country through chaos towards stability.