Syria
Country in western Asia, on the Mediterranean Sea, bounded to the
north by Turkey, east by Iraq, south by Jordan, and southwest
by Israel and Lebanon.
Government
The 1973 constitution provides for a president, elected by universal
adult suffrage for a seven-year term, who appoints and governs
with the help of a prime minister and a council of ministers.
There is a single-chamber, 250-member legislature, the Majlis
al -Sha'ab, also elected by universal adult suffrage. It serves
a four-year term.
History
In September 1936 the principle of Syrian independence was acknowledged
in a treaty that was never ratified, and real moves towards independence
were disrupted by World War II. French and British troops invaded
Syria in order to drive out a commander loyal to the pro-German
Vichy government. Independence was granted in theory in September
1941, but it was not until elections had been held in August 1943
(as a result of which Shukri Kuwatli became president) that it
arrived in fact in April 1946.
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