Nureddin al-Atassi | |
|---|---|
نور الدين الأتاسي | |
 Atassi in 1970 | |
| Secretary General of theNational Command of theArab Socialist Ba'ath Party | |
| In office March 1966 – 18 November 1970 | |
| Preceded by | Munif al-Razzaz (head of unitaryBa'ath Party) |
| Succeeded by | Hafez al-Assad |
| Regional Secretary of theRegional Command of theSyrian Regional Branch | |
| In office March 1966 – 13 November 1970 | |
| Deputy | Salah Jadid |
| Preceded by | Amin al-Hafiz (Last Regional Command dissolved in December 1965) |
| Succeeded by | Hafez al-Assad |
| Member of theRegional Command of theSyrian Regional Branch | |
| In office March 1966 – 18 November 1970 | |
| In office 5 September 1963 – 19 December 1965 | |
| President of Syria | |
| In office 25 February 1966 – 18 November 1970 | |
| Prime Minister | Yusuf Zuayyin Himself |
| Preceded by | Amin al-Hafiz |
| Succeeded by | Ahmad al-Khatib (acting) Hafez al-Assad |
| Prime Minister of Syria | |
| In office 29 October 1968 – 18 November 1970 | |
| Preceded by | Yusuf Zuayyin |
| Succeeded by | Hafez al-Assad |
| Vice President of Syria | |
| In office 15 December 1964 – 28 December 1965 | |
| President | Amin al-Hafiz Yusuf Zuayyin |
| Preceded by | Muhammad Umran |
| Succeeded by | Shibli al-Aysami |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1929-01-11)11 January 1929 |
| Died | 3 December 1992(1992-12-03) (aged 63) |
| Political party | Ba'ath Party |
Nureddin Mustafa Ali al-Atassi (Arabic:نور الدين مصطفى الأتاسي,romanized: Nūr ad-Dīn Muṣṭafā al-'Atāsī, 11 January 1929 – 3 December 1992) was a Syrian politician who served as thepresident of Syria from 1966 to 1970. Atassi was the first Syrian president to address theUnited Nations General Assembly after theJune 1967 War, a record that stood until PresidentAhmed al-Sharaa made an address in September 2025.
Nureddin Al-Atassi, born in 1929 inHoms to anArab family, and belonged to the renowned Al-Atassi family.[1] Following his mother's early death, he was brought up by his paternal grandfather, Judge Fuad Effendi al-Atassi. Surrounded by his grandfather's intellectual circles, which were populated by poets and scholars, Nureddin developed a deep admiration forArabic poetry from an early stage in his life.[2]
Nureddin obtained his education in schools located inHoms and actively took part in the city's protests againstFrench colonial rule throughout his early years.[2] Despite being young, Nureddin's desire for reform motivated him to distribute pamphlets advocating for student disobedience in schools inHoms. However, his advocacy led to his arrest on one occasion prior to him turning fifteen years old.[2]
In 1948, Atassi enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at theUniversity of Damascus. Throughout his time in the city, he established his ties with influential individuals in theBaath Party, such asAkram Al-Hourani andMichel Aflaq, who were rising leaders in the party during that period. Atassi has been affiliated with theBaath Party since 1944.[2]
During his time inDamascus, Atassi actively engaged with the student group associated with theBaath Party.[2] He was elected as a representative and then became the president of the leadership body, serving from 1948 to 1955 until he graduated from the Faculty of Medicine.[2]
After completing his education, Atassi served his mandatory duty, during which he observed the tripartite invasion ofEgypt in 1956. He stood with the Syrian army when they relocated toJordan in a show of unity.[3]
Upon fulfilling his obligatory service, Atassi offered his assistance to theAlgerian revolution, rendering medical aid to revolutionaries in close proximity to the Tunisian-Algerian border.[4] After returning to Syria, Atassi focused on general surgery atDamascus Hospital. Afterwards, he took jobs at other hospitals inDamascus. Following that, he went back to his native city ofHoms, where he persisted in his medical profession, working at the National Hospital and managing his own private clinic.[3]
Following theMarch 8, 1963 coup, Atassi was designated as the Minister of the Interior inSalah al-Din al-Bitar's third government.[3] This government served from 4 August 1963, until 12 November 1963.[3] Afterwards, he assumed the position of Minister of the Interior in the first government ofAmin al-Hafiz, which was established on 12 November 1963, and held the position until 14 May 1964.[3] In October 1964, he took on the position of Deputy Prime Minister in the second administration ofAmin Al-Hafiz.[3] This government began on 3 October 1964, and ended on 23 May 1965.[3] In addition, he was designated as a member of theNational Revolutionary Council on 23 December 1965.[3]
Shortly after theFebruary 23, 1966 coup, Atassi assumed the role of head of state and Secretary-General of theBaath Party.[3]
Throughout his time in office, Atassi implemented substantial projects and participated in important domestic and international activities. Significantly, he entered into a partnership with theSoviet Union to build theEuphrates Dam and issued other decrees targeting economic and social change. These initiatives encompassed the formation of the Land Bank, the implementation of the Economic Penal Code, and the foundation of the People's Army, which was affiliated with the Ministry of Defense. In November 1967, Atassi took the lead in establishing the Central Financial Supervision Organization and the People's Legislative Council. This happened after the revolution, which resulted in the suspension of parliament. In addition, he founded the Supreme State Security Court and streamlined travel for people to Arab Economic Unity countries by allowing them to use ID cards instead of visas.[4]
Atassi was the first Syrian president to address theUnited Nations General Assembly after theJune 1967 War,[4] a precedent that lasted until PresidentAhmed al-Sharaa did so in September 2025.[5][nb 1]
Atassi additionally assembled numerous conferences and presented speeches, such as the urgent assembly of the Central Council of the Arab Workers Union to express solidarity with the fight against theJewish state (May 1967), the inaugural gathering of the Committee for Defending the Homeland and Protecting the Revolution inHasakah (November 1967), and the Arab Lawyers Conference inDamascus (September 1967).[4]
Atassi adopted a strong stance towards specific Arab nations, aligning withSalah Jadid in this regard. Significantly, he supported the dismantling of oil pipelines owned by theIraq Petroleum Company that traverse Syrian land. In addition, Atassi suspended the transportation of oil across Syrian territory until the corporation complied with Syrian requests.
Furthermore, Atassi provided support to a range of movements and causes, including giving his full backing to theEritrean campaign for independence. UponEritrea's declaration of war onEthiopia and its pursuit of independence, Atassi promptly recognized and endorsed their cause. He rendered support by sending insurgent groups, providing instruction, monetary assistance, and weaponry. The help provided by Atassi played a crucial role in Eritrea's final accomplishment of independence, resulting in lasting gratitude from the Eritrean population.[4]
Additionally, Atassi's government demonstrated unity with Lebanon in its demands for the removal of King Hussein bin Talal and offered assistance to Palestinian combatants. Atassi intervened to advocate for thePalestinian cause during the "Black September" period, issuing a public threat to invadeJordan in response to ongoing violence against Palestinians. He commanded the Syrian army to progress, ensuring the safety of the Jordanian border and seizingIrbid in order to protect Palestinian interests.[4]
On 13 November 1970, Defense MinisterHafez al-Assad orchestrated acoup d'état known as theCorrective Revolution, resulting in the overthrow of Atassi.[8]
Following the coup, Atassi, along with other government officials, was detained without undergoing a trial. He was imprisoned inMezzeh prison inDamascus for a period of 22 years.[9] In early 1992, Atassi suffered a severe heart attack, leading to his transfer to a military hospital. Subsequent medical examinations revealedesophageal cancer, prompting authorities to detain him in the hospital as a political prisoner. During this time, access to Atassi was restricted to his immediate family members only.[3] Atassi remained hospitalized for several months, during which his health deteriorated rapidly as the cancer progressed, spreading to his liver. Eventually, authorities decided to release him from detention. Following his release, he was transferred to his residence in the city ofHoms.[3]
In November 1992, the French authorities became aware of Atassi's medical condition and extended an offer to provide him with medical treatment which was rejected by Syrian authorities until he came into a state of semi-consciousness.[3] Afterwards, he was sent toParis where he received medical treatment at theAmerican Hospital of Paris.[10] Despite medical treatment, Atassi died on 3 December 1992, at the age of 63.[10] His body was transported the following day to Homs, where he was laid to rest in the Al-Atassi family cemetery inKafr Aya.[3]
| French mandate (1922–1930) |  |
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| First Syrian Republic (1930–1950) | |
| Second Syrian Republic (1950–1958) | .svg) |
| United Arab Republic (1958–1961) | %2c_Flag_of_Syria_(1980%25E2%2580%25932024).svg) |
| Second Syrian Republic (1961–1963) | |
| Ba'athist Syria (1963–2024) | |
| Transitional period (2024–present) | .svg)
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* acting | |
| Arab Kingdom of Syria (1920) | .svg) |
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| French mandate (1920–1930) | |
| First Syrian Republic (1930–1950) | |
| Second Syrian Republic (1950–1958) | |
| United Arab Republic (1958–1961) | |
| Second Syrian Republic (1961–1963) | |
| Ba'athist Syria (1963–2024) | |
| Transitional period (2024–2025) | |
* acting | |
| International | |
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| People | |
