Timeline
1917
1917
Chafic bin Nouri Al Kuzbari died after having contracted Typhus, Mamoun Kuzbari was only three years old at the time.
1932
1932
Kuzbari moved with his brother, Dr Ayman Kuzbari and their mother to Lebanon. Mamoun enrolled to study at the French Faculty of Law, while his brother Ayman studied medicine at Allayiek College.
Click to read more about Kuzbari's early life in his Memoirs.
1936
1937
1937 - 1942
After being called to the Beirut Bar, Kuzbari practiced under the supervision of Professor Charles Fabia
1941
1941
While practising Law in Beirut, Kuzbari gains a Doctorate of Law from the University of Lyon, his thesis was based on Civil Legislation in Syria and Lebanon
1942
1942
Kuzbari was called to the Damascus Bar and continued practising law
1948
1948
He taught Land Legislation, taking iver from Professor Abduljawad Al Sarmin. Kuzbari later introduced his own course at the University, "Introdcution aux études juridiques" - a French course aimed at helping students get accustomed to the use of French references in their future careers
Click to read more about this period of Kuzbari's life in his Memoirs
1949
03/03/1949
Along with his mentor, Professor Charles Fabia, Kuzbari succeeded in representing his mother in a claim over a disputed property that a distant family member had taken from his father's estate
Click to read the Court's Judgement from the case
1953
10/07/1953
A new Syrian constitution drafted by Anwer Hatem and Ahmed Issa is adopted, Shishakli is elected as the 8th President of the Syrian Republic
09/10/1953
Kuzbari runs as a candidate of the Arab Liberation Movement, the party wins 72 out of 82 seats in the Syrian Parliament.
24/10/1953
Members of Parliament take their oaths of office after being sworn in by Father of the House, Mr Nafae Mujeeb Al Qudsi.
“I swear by God and by my honour that I will be faithful to the Constitution and the laws of the country; that I will observe and preserve them; that I will defend the liberties, interests, funds, and dignity of the people, and the independence of the country, and its Republican form of government; that I will carry out my parliamentary duties with honour, integrity and loyalty and seek the freedom and unity of the rest of the Arab nation”
24/10/1953
Mr Hani Al Rayes came second, with 22 votes, in a secret ballot for the election of Speaker, Kuzbari won with 58 votes.
In doing so, Kuzbari also becomes the first Vice President of Syria as the new constitution dictates that the Speaker of the House is automatically appointed Vice President of the State.
"Honorable Representatives, I am delighted and honoured to have won your valued trust, for which I am most grateful. I pray to God Almighty to give us the strength to assume the great responsibilities that are laid upon us, and to guide us through the path of serving the best interest of our nation and homeland"
"The Syrian people, and the wider Arab Nation, are looking forward to our House and monitoring our proceedings. let us be where the people who put their valued trust in us want us to be; let us keep in mind that a parliamentary seat cannot be divided, and that every member of parliament should represent the whole people."
Quoted from Kuzbari's speech upon being elected Speaker of the House of Representatives
Read his full speech here (SPE12)
1954
25/02/1954
Starting in Northerm Syria, the Latakia and Deir Azzor Army commands declare secession from Damascus and the Central Command - as a result President Shishakli resigns.
"Dear Syrians In order to avert the bloodshed among my fellow Syrians, the Army that I would sacrifice my life for, and the Arab World that I wanted to serve with impartiality and dedication, I hereby submit my resignation as President of the Syrian Arab Republic, to my dear Syrians who elected me and put their valued trust in me. I hope that this decision will serve the best interests of my country; I pray to God to protect it from all evil, guide it towards unity, strength it, and grant it ultimate glory and splendor"
25/02/1954
Mamoun Kuzbari upon his realisation that given Shishakli's resignation - he will become acting President of Syria.
Click to read Kuzbari's recollection of the events of 25th February 1954 in his Memoirs.
25/02/1954
"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. As I assume these duties, I pray to Almighty God to bestow His strength, enlightenment and guidance upon me."
Click to read the full transcript of his speech (SPE13)
27/02/1954
"In Damascus, Dr. Mahmoun El Kuzbari, speaker of the chamber acting presidency in accordance with constitutional procedure after Shishekly fled.
The rebels demanded that Kuzbari resign in favor of Hasham El Atassy or face the consequences of bloodshed."
Click to read the full article
27/02/1954
A howling mob of 5,000 stone-throwing rebel supporters stormed the parliament building in Damascus. They forced parliament to dissolve on the ground that it was elected under Shishekly’s dictatorship, and beat at least one deputy. The mob smashed windows and, bursting into the chamber, tore up seats.
Click to read the full article
28/02/1954
"The first action I took was to reach out to all Syrians, civilian and military personnel. I pleaded with them, in the name of our country and Arab identity, to appreciate the gravity of the situation, renounce grudges, put their differences aside, remain united, and work together with one heart in the best interest of our country and the prosperity of our nation. I was also quick to contact politicians, ministers and General Staff to create the appropriate environment for achieving the purpose that drove me to continue to exercise executive powers.
Now that this purpose has been fulfilled, the ministers and I will step down with a clear conscience, assured that the shadow of crisis has passed, and troops can return to their bases while politicians take over."
01/03/1954
Sabri al-Asali is appointed Prime Minister
01/03/1954
"Anti Shishekly forces claimed complete victory in revolt-torn Syria today and proclaimed the aged former Premier Hachem Bey El Atassi as chief of state.
Syria’ army chief of staff, Col. Shawkat Shkeir, broadcast the proclamation over Damascus Radio after acting President Maahmoun Kuzbari announced he was resigning the post he assumed when Adib Shishekly fled into exile in Saudi Arabia."
Click to read the full article
12/03/1954
"Syria’s new government purged the National University today and fired Dr. Maamoun Kuzbari, former speaker of Parliament and acting National President, from his last job."
Click to read the full article
19/06/1954
Saeed Al Ghazzi is appointed as Prime Minister in his place
24/09/1954
Mamoun Kuzbari runs in Damascus as an Independant
01/10/1954
"It is worth mentioning that most of the ministers who had signed the decree of my dismissal also signed the decree of my reappointment"
Quoted from Kuzbari's Memoirs
Click to read more about the 1954 elections in his Memoirs
14/10/1954
03/11/1954
Faris Al Khoury is appointed Prime Minister in his place
1955
13/02/1955
Sabri Al Asali is once more appointed Prime Minister of Syria
April 1955
The twenty-nine countries that participated at the Bandung Conference represented nearly one-quarter of the Earth's land surface and a total population of 1.5 billion people.
The Conference was organised by Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Ceylon and India.
Click to read Kuzbari's diaries from this trip
06/09/1955
Shukri al-Quwatli replaces him as President
13/09/1955
Former Prime Minister Saeed Al Ghazi is reappointed Prime Minister of Syria
14/09/1955
Kuzbari seen above giving a speech at a local school in his capacity as Minister of Education, on the occasion of World Children's Day
21/11/1955
Prince Fahd, then Minister of Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was given a tour of a Syrian school by Kuzbari
1956
06/06/1956
14/06/1956
Kuzbari was previously the Minister of Education
12/08/1956
Coup was intended to replace President Shukri al-Quwatli with former Syrian President Adib Al Shishakli.
The US, which denied the coup plot, responded by expelling the Syrian ambassador from Washington and recalling its ambassador from Syria.
22/12/1956
Assali’s coalition cabinet resigned after six months in office in order to give him a chance to put together a more cohesive government.
Kuzbari was the Minister for Justice, Labour and Social Affairs at the time the Cabinet resigned.
31/12/1956
Kuzbari reappointed Minister of Justice and Social Affairs in the new 11-man coalition Government
1957
21/05/1957
1958
19/02/1958
22/02/1958
22/02/1958
Shukri al-Quwatli is appointed Vice-President
15/04/1958
Kuzbari was head of the Committee on the merging of Civil Law between Egypt and Syria in the new United Arab Republic
Click here to read a report published by the Committee (only in Arabic) (PAR01)
1959
1959-1961
He returned to private practice and focused on the law
1960
1960
04/07/1960
Click here to view some mementos of his trip (PER01)
1961
01/02/1961
Click here to view the program of the conference
INSERT PER12/13
27/09/1961
Kuzbari was attending the International Lawyers Association Conference in Basel.
28/09/1961
The unity wanted by the Syrian people is a unity that unifies rather than disperses. A unity between two countries, considered by the people, as a first step towards a comprehensive unity that with time brings under its wing all other Arab countries.
Freedoms, under the Unity, were curbed, the economy crumbled, agriculture perished, and the hegemony of the Egyptian side increased day by day.
Quoted from Kuzbari's Memoirs
Click here to read the official declaration of the breakup of the United Arab Republic (in French only)
29/09/1961
Kuzbari was asked to serve by the Military Leadership of the Uprising.
Quote from the Military Leadership of the Uprising
Read more about this event in the Memoirs
29/09/1961
Which appointed the following Government:
Dr Mamoun Al Kuzbari, for Presidency, and Foreign and Defence ministries.
Dr Leon Zamaria, for the Finance and Supply.
Dr Farhan Al Jandali for the Health and Public Relief.
Dr Adnan al-Quwatli for the Interior Ministry.
Dr Izzat Al Nass for the Education and National Guidance Ministry.
Dr Awad Barakat for the Economy and Industry Ministry.
Dr Neiman Al Azhari for the Planning and Municipality and Rural Affairs Ministry.
Engineer Amin Nassif for the Agriculture and Agrarian Reform Ministry.
Engineer Abdulrahman Houriya for the Public Works and Transport Ministry.
Lawyer Ahmed Sultan for the Justice and Waqf Ministry.
Mr Fouad Al Adel for the Social Affairs and Work Ministry.
29/09/1961
“In its efforts to honour the promise that it gave to the people to assign the political and administrative affairs to the competent members of the people, the leadership had appointed Dr Mamoun Al Kuzbari to form a government tasked with the affairs of the country to cultivate the way for the return of the constitutional order.
Dr Al Kuzbari has agreed to form the ministry and immediately started his communications. The names of the ministers will be announced to you shortly.”
30/09/1961
30/09/1961
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"Nasser spoke a few hours after the dissenting officers who carried out Thursday’s coup in Damascus announced the formation of an all-civilian cabinet headed by Mamoun Al-Kuzbari.
Nasser left no doubt about his decision to end the fight as far as any troops he might order into action were concerned. He said he ruled out fighting Thursday because “Arabs should not shed the blood of Arabs.”
30/09/1961
There was a voice inside me that kept on saying: you are the President of the Syrian Bar Association and a permanent lecturer in the Faculty of Law. You are the lawyer of the Treasury and a legal consultant for many companies, you have chaired the Parliamentary Counsel and a number of the Ministries. You do not need to add any more ministerial posts to your profile. Do you really want to risk sacrificing all of this record? You are the head of a family, you have a mother, a wife, and small children. Who are you going to leave them with if you get into trouble?
However, another voice overruled the first voice and rang out saying: your country is calling on you to help in saving it, so do not let it down. You should go ahead without hesitation as the public interest far outweighs the personal interest and all sacrifices are small if they are made for the sake of the country.
Quoted from Kuzbari's memoirs
Click here to read the full chapter
01/10/1961
"Mahmoun Al-Kuzbari, the new Syrian Premier, is a conservative, a mild mannered man toward whom dynamic politicians turn in explosive situations. The Arabic meaning of his first name - “the trusted one”- is apt.
A friend here described him yesterday as “bookish rather than a scholar, and a man you could fairly call colorless.” It is, oddly, such qualities that have brought him responsible leadership in times of political stress.
In the politics of the Arab world, the friend added, Mr. Kuzbari is a man with no enemies and probably no real friends; That is to say, he is not a figure of controversy
His only recreation is reading. He does not hunt, as many Arabs do, not does he frequent the clubs of Damascus, as most Damascus politicians do"
01/10/1961
Roy please embed this clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wQbgjZ5QgU
03/10/1961
Kuzbari states that Syria intends his government's "firm adherence" to principles of the UN Charter
03/10/1961
05/10/1961
“President Jamal Abdul Nasser is sending saboteurs and assassins into Syria from Lebanon to work against the Syrian regime…The grand Mufti (Hajj Amin Huseyni) has sent truest emissary to convey the information to Prime Minister Kuzbari so the Syrian Government can take necessary precautions”
Read the full CIA telegram regarding Nasser’s covert actions against the newly independent Syrian Government (CIA13)
07/10/1961
"La Syrie a toujours été la grande amie du Liban et c'est avec plaisir que nous les verrons reprendre leurs relations de bon voisinage"
09/10/1961
"The Soviet news agency Tass said ambassadors would be exchanged between the two capitals in response to a request for recognition by the new Syrian premier, Mamoun Kuzbari. He gained power last month in a military coup that split Syria from Egypt and President Gamal Abdul Nasser’s United Arab Republic."
11/10/1961
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The United States Government, having taken note of the declaration of the government of the Syrian Arab Republic that it intends to respect and observe its international obligations, has today extended recognition to that government.
11/10/1961
12/10/1961
14/10/1961
read more from the declassified CIA Intelligence briefing (CIA05)
14/10/1961
23/10/1961
"Good sources here think Nasser expects a pro-Nasser turn to Syrian politics when elections are held there. The new Premier of Syria, Dr. Maamoun Kuzbari, has promised elections in four months, and said they will be free."
"The return to political freedom is most likely a return to political turbulence. In their view, Syrians like their politics. Highly individualistic political cockfights are the chief indoor and outdoor hobbies of the Syrians wherever they gather. "
27/10/1961
“Syria’s breakaway from Egypt has dealt a heavy blow to Nasser’s prestige and leadership…The dissolution of the UAR has not, however, changed the underlying needs and conditions which give rise to Arab Nationalism.
“In the Arab world at large the myth of Nasser’s infallibility has been dispelled”
Read more about the CIA’s analysis of the wider effects of the breakup of the United Arab Republic
28/10/1961
"Women in this Moslem nation will have the right to vote and run for Parliament in forthcoming elections, Health Minister Farham Djendeli said Friday."
Click here to read the full article
01/11/1961
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"King Hussein of Jordan today pledged his country’s support for the Syrian regime"
20/11/1961
"Given that I also submitted my candidacy to the people in these elections, I should follow the steps of my colleagues the Ministers recently resigned to indicate my wish to return to the ranks of the people. I also wanted to adhere to the principles of creating an environment in which to hold free and fair elections. Elections that are flawless.
Therefore, I resign from my role as a President of the Council of Ministers and the Foreign and Defense Ministries"
21/11/1961
“Candidates will not be allowed to run for office as representatives of their political parties. Because of this…the election contest is likely to hinge on personalities, with ideological considerations in second place.
The major personalities in the election campaign are likely yo include…Mamoun al-Kuzbari who has resigned as Prime Minister in order to run for Parliament, probably in the hope that his chances for the Presidency would be bettered”
Read more about the CIA’s analysis of the upcoming 1961 Syrian Parliamentary elections
26/11/1961
"About 70 per cent of Syria’s people are glad to be out from the oppressive rule of President Nasser and his United Arab Republic, informed sources say"
"The people were sick of the stiff import restrictions, crippling economic decrees, the secret police, terror and unheard-of income taxes imposed by Cairo"
28/11/1961
"Premier Mahmoun al-Kuzbari, the choice of the Syrian revolutionary command to head the civilian government, set the tone on Oct. 2 – less than a week after the successful revolt – by promising general elections within four months. He said also that his government would aim toward “a sound, democratic socialist life” under which private ownership, industrialization and foreign investment would be encouraged."
Click here to read the full article
29/11/1961
View more pictures of his campaigns
01/12/1961
"Syria’s leaders appear to be following a sound middle-of-the-road policy friendly to the West although not committed, wary of Communist infiltrations, refraining from impassioned anti-Israel action, and carefully neutral as between the two poles of Arab power in Egypt and Iraq.
This is a course America can and should support"
02/12/1961
"Mamoun Kuzbari, who resigned as provisional president to run for Parliament, said the bomb explosions “were the work of the men of Nasser. We were expecting worse.”
Other political leaders said it was obvious the bombs were meant as a harsh warning for the people to stay away from the polls. Pro-nasser forces probably would claim Syrians do not really want an independent republic if the voting should be light"
03/12/1961
"Right-wingers strengthened their already assured majority in parliament here today as vote counting in the Syrian republic’s first election dragged to a close. Only 17 Damascus seats in the 172-seat parliament remained officially uncounted two days after the balloting.
Assured of victory in the capital was Mamoun Kuzbari, who was named premier by the military junta the day after Syria broke away from the United Arab Republic in September."
03/12/1961
"Nearly complete election results indicated tonight that Dr. Mamoun Kuzbari and other moderate Right Wingers would control the new Syrian Parliament
Dr. Kuzbari, who headed the Provisional Government setup after the break with the United Arab Republic two months ago, was leading 191 candidates for the seventeen Damascus seats
A relatively heavy vote, probably exceeding 50 per cent of the electorate, was regarded as an eloquent answer to Egyptian radio broadcasts urging the Syrians to boycott the elections"
03/12/1961
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"At stake were 172 seats in the unicameral parliament which will elect the new president and write a new constitution for the nation. Voters also were asked to ratify a provisional constitution which in effect would legalise the break with Egypt two months ago
Al-Kuzbari moved into the lead in early returns from the city’s polling places. Ex-premier Sabri El Assali who also served briefly as U.A.R. Vice President, and another former premier Khaled Al Azem, were among the frontrunners"
12/12/1961
He won the election for the Speakership with 114 votes, beating for Jalal Al Sayed who earned 47 votes
21/12/1961
Ghazzi will team up with moderate rightist [President of the Republic] Kudsi and right-wing Parliament Speaker Mamoun Kuzbari in running this country of five million people.
22/12/1961
“Kuzbari has been elected speaker of parliament, one of the most influential positions in the government...Since the revolt he has given the impression of being a cover-minded individual who feels that the clock cannot be turned back and that social measures taken during the Union will have to be retained”
Read the full CIA report into leading Syrian personalities
28/12/1961
“The new Government thus represents a conservative liberal coalition. It should be able to co-operate fruitfully with the President of the Republic, himself a leader of the People’s Party, and it should have the support of the large majority of the members of the Assembly as it includes representatives of most of the rather amorphous blocs into which the deputies have been grouping themselves”
Read the British Ambassador’s full report on the new Syrian government
1962
27/03/1962
"Three geographic factors have played a major part in determining the history of Syria: Its location on trade and military routes between the Mediterranean and Iraq. Its varied topography, which has made political unity difficult. The encroaching desert, from which many of its own peoples and cultural movements have come"
Since 1949, Syria has become a nation of military coups. There were five coups between March 30, 1949 and Feb 25, 1954.
On Dec. 14. 1961, veteran conservative politician Nazim El Kudsi, 55, was elected president by parliament. Maarouf Dawalibi was named premier and foreign minister Dec. 22 1961. Two days ago Dawalibi admitted his resignation and Kudsi began consultations for selecting a new premier. From the beginning, it was apparent that the army wanted freedom from Cairo’s steadily tightening control over Syria, but hoped to retain the bulk of the socialist measures instituted during Nasser’s rule and restore friendly relations with Egypt."
28/03/1962
"At a late hour on the night of 27th March, I heard someone knock on the door in an unusual way, my mother was about to open the door when the person on the other side threatened that if the door was not opened immediately, it would be broken down. Surely my mother opened the door and was faced with a number of the military police officers led by Majed Shaker who was then, I think, head of the Military Police.
Click to read more about the 1962 coup d'état in the Memoirs
28/03/1962
"The Syrian army seized power early today and promised to continue the principles of last fall’s military coup which split Syria from Egypt.
The takeover topped the short-lived elected government of President Nazim El Koudsi who resigned along with his cabinet and 172-member parliament.
The proclamation of the coup came while Koudsi was trying to find a new premier to replace Dr. Marouf Dawalibi who resigned Sunday."
Click here to read the full article
28/03/1962
Speaker of the House Mamoun Kuzbari and President Nazim al-Kudsi arrested in an attempted Coup d'état by Colonel Abd al-Karim al-Nehlawi, the group of military officers were frustrated at their inability to impose their outlook on the Government. Beginning of a series of frequent Coup's which divided the Army onto a factional basis.
28/03/1962
Kuzbari did so under duress while being held in prison on falsified charges
Click to read more about the 1962 Coup d'état, Kuzbari's arrest and his resignation in his Memoirs
30/03/1962
"The frontiers were still sealed, isolating the Mediterranean republic in the heart of the Middle East. Otherwise daily life went on normally with streets ordered cleared only from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Damascus Radio continued to tell the five million Syrians - long accustomed to upheavals - to prepare for a swing back toward the left from the anti-nationalization policies of deposed President Nazem El Koudsi’s regime.
There were reports in Lebanon that ousted Premier Maroud Dawalibi and other civilian leaders, including ex-Premier Mamoun Kuzbari, may be brought to trial. Kuzbari has been speaker of Parliament since election of the new dissolved legislature last December."
30/03/1962
"Major General Abdel Karim Zahreddin, commander in chief of the army, made this announcement in his first news conference since a military coup Wednesday topped the rightist government of President Nazem El Koudsi and Premier Maarouf Dawalibi.
In Beirut, capital of neighboring Lebanon, it was estimated 100 persons, including Dawalibi and three other ex-premiers, were under arrest.
Authoritative sources said the other former government chiefs held were Mamoun Kuzbari, Khalid El Azem and Sabri Assali"
Click to read the full article
01/04/1962
The Congress was held following conflict between the Damascus based cup Officers and other Pro-union officers in Homs, in Syria, Al Nahlawi and original coup plotters were excluded. At the Congress, the officers decide to exile Nahlawi and his associates and restore civilian Government.
15/04/1962
"The Syrian army today freed 12 more political prisoners - including three former cabinet ministers - put in jail in the coup d’etat March 28, still under arrest were Marouf Dawalibi deposed premier, Mamoun Kuzbari, speaker of parliament."
16/04/1962
Al Azma's government is not immediately ratified, nor is his role as Prime Minister. Parliamentarians were unwilling to give the Army the cover of a legitimate civilian Government, especially as armed forces still had significant influence over domestic politics.
May 1962
Al Azma's Government also restored land reform legislation from the United Arab Republic era. The Government also issued a decree renationalising the banking sector, taking a 25% stake in Syrian banks and 40% stake in non-Syrian, Arab banks.
09/06/1962
Mamoun Kuzbari had been arrested earlier in June on false grounds. During his time in jail in June 1962, Kuzbari kept a detailed diary.
Click to read the June 1962 Prison Diaries
17/09/1962
This process was to be mediated by ex President Quwatli, following Bashir Al Azma's resignation as Prime Minister
1963
04/02/1963
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"Syrian authorities said Monday that they have discovered a plot masterminded by the United Arab Republic Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon to carry out political assassinations and bomb-throwing sabotage throughout Syria."
Click to read the full article
08/03/1963
Instigated by the military committee of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party. Both Prime Minister Azm and President al-Kudsi are ordered to be arrested. President al-Kudsi resigns the Presidency and flees to Amman, while Prime Minister Azm takes refuge at the Turkish Embassy in Damascus
20/03/1963
A 25,000 lira reward was placed on information leading to Kuzbari's arrest
01/04/1963
Kuzbari initially escaped through Jordan, where he was hosted by King Hussein, to Rome before he eventually settled in Nice until 1965
Read more about Kuzbari's exile from Syria in his Memoirs
1965
1965
Read more about Kuzbari's later life in Morocco in his Memoirs
1973
1973
United Aviation Services was primarily an airplane financing and leasing company, based between Paris, Geneva and New York. The company was eventually rebranded as Novus Aviation Capital
1984
02/12/1984
Kuzbari had been wrongly denied his state pension
Click here to read the court judgement
Insert PER11
1998
20/03/1998
He was buried in his birthplace, Damascus