Name Zuhair Masharqa Resigned February 21, 2006 Religion Islam Succeeded by Farouk al-Sharaa | Role Politician | |
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President Hafez Assad (until 2000)Bashar Assad Political party Syria Regional Branch of the Ba'ath Party Similar People Saddam Hussein, Salah al‑Din al‑Bitar, Michel Aflaq | ||
Preceded by Mohamad Jaber Bajbouj | ||
Muhammad Zuhair Masharqa (1938 – 23 April 2007) (Arabic: زهير مشارقة) was a Syrian politician who served as Vice President of Syria from 1984 to 2006.
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Early life and education
Masharqa came from a Sunni family. He received a bachelor's degree in education from Damascus University in 1961. He also obtained a degree in law from Aleppo University in 1968.
Career
His first public post was governor of Hama to which he was appointed in 1973. Masharqa became a member of the Baath Party in 1975. Later he became deputy director of the party. Masharqa was appointed to the cabinet in 1978 as Minister of Education and became Vice President for Domestic Affairs on 11 March 1984. He was the country's longest serving vice president, in office from 1984 to 2006, and was particularly noted for his loyalty to President Hafez Assad. After the death of Assad in 2000, a 9-member committee was formed to oversee the transition period, and Masharqa was among its members.
President Bashar Assad chose to retain him as a vice president up to his retirement in 2006. He was replaced by Farouk Sharaa as vice president.
Personal life
Masharqa was married and had five children.
Death and burial
Masharqa died due to a massive heart attack in Damascus on 23 April 2007. His body was buried in Aleppo.