MIDDLE EAST Independent States

 

Last Updated : February 07, 2000

BAHRAIN (Dawlat al Bahrayn)	Regime : Monarchy Amir, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa - Chief of State {Born in Riffa on the January 28, 1950, corresponding to Rabe'a Al Awal 7, 1369, on the Hijra calender} [In 1964, following the completion of primary education with honours, Shaikh Hamad was proclaimed Crown Prince on June 27, 1964. He completed his secondary schooling from Leys public school in Cambridge, England, returning to Bahrain in the summer of 1967. He joined the Mons Officer Cadet School at Aldershot in England graduating on September 14, 1968. He also studied at Sandhurst Academy] (since 6 March 1999) The monarchy is hereditary. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa - Head of the Government (Prime Minister since 19 January 1970) Prime minister appointed by the monarch. Legislative : Unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 and legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet ; appointed Advisory Council established 16 December 1992.
IRAN (Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran)	Regime : Theocratic Republic Ayatollah Ali Hoseini - KHAMENEI - Chief of State (Leader of the Islamic Republic and of the Nation - since 4 June 1989) Leader of the Islamic Revolution appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts. Hojjatoleslam Mohammad KHATAMI - Head of the Government [Born in1943 in Ardakan, Yazd Province] [In 1961 after graduation from high school, President Khatami went to the holy city of Qom to study theology and then from 1965, he continued his studies in Isfahan. He also studied philosophy at the University of Isfahan where he obtained his B.A in 1969. In 1970 he entered the University of Tehran to study education and graduated with an M.A. After graduation he went back to Qom to follow up his philosophical studies] (President since 3 August 1997) President elected by popular vote for a four-year term ; election last held 23 May 1997 (next to be held NA May 2001) Legislative : Unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami (270 seats ; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Elections : last held 18 February 2000 ; pro-presidential reformists won 189 of the 290 seats (next to be held NA March 2004)
IRAQ (Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah) UNIKOM	Regime : Republic SADDAM Husayn el-Takriti - Chief of State (President since 16 July 1979 / Prime Minister since 16 Jul. 1979 - 23 Mar 1991 (1st time) 29 May 1994 - ? (2nd time)) The president is both chief of state and head of government. President and vice presidents elected by a two-thirds majority of the Revolutionary Command Council; election last held 17 October 1995 (next to be held NA 2002) awaiting Taha Muhyi al-Din MARUF (Vice-President since 21 April 1974) awaiting Taha Yasin RAMADAN (Vice-President since 23 March 1991) Tariq Mikhail AZIZ (Deputy Prime Minister since 1979) Legislative : Unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (250 seats ; 30 appointed by SADDAM Husayn to represent the three northern provinces of Dahuk, Arbil, and As Sulaymaniyah ; 220 elected by popular vote ; members serve four-year terms) Elections : last held 27 March 2000 ; no oppositionals were allowed to run. Turn over : 83.6% (next to be held in 2004)
ISRAËL (Medinat Yisra'el)	Regime : Republic Moshe Katsav - Chief of State Born : in Iran in 1945 Education : He graduated from the Ben-Shemen Agricultural School and Beer Tuvia. (President since 01 August 2000) President elected by the Knesset for a five-year term ; election last held 31 July 2000 - (next to be held 2004) Ariel Sharon - Head of the Government Born : in Kfar Malal in the Sharon valley, ten miles from Tel Aviv in 1928 Education : Graduated from high school in Tel Aviv. Topics studied, agriculture, politics and military affairs. 1952 Studied Middle East history at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. 1957 started a study of military theory at Staff College in Camberley , England. 1966 Completed Law degree at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Party : Likud Political Carrer : 1973-74 Member of the Knesset. 1974-75 Accepted senior position in Reserve Army and six months later Sharon was appointed Defence Adviser to Prime Minister Rabin. 1976 Sharon formed the Peace Zion Party `Shlomzion'. 1977-81 Elected member of Knesset and joined the Likud alliance.1981-83 Minister of Defence in Begin's Government. 1983-84 Sharon demoted to Minister without portfolio, following the investigation into the Sabra and Chatila massacre. The Kahan Commission of inquiry into the massacre found Sharon indirectly responsible, and called for his resignation. 1984-90 Minister of Industry and Trade in Likud Government. 1990-92 Minister for Construction and Housing. (Prime Minister since 6 February 2001) Prime minister elected by popular vote for a four-year term ; election last held 06 February 2001 (early elections are scheduled for May 2005) Legislative : Unicameral Knesset or parliament (120 seats ; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Elections : last held 17 May 1999 (early elections are scheduled for May 2002)
JORDAN (Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah)	Régime : Constitutional Monarchy ABDALLAH II ibn al-Husayn - Chief of State Born : January 30, 1962 in Amman Education : Began his education at the Islamic Educational College and received his secondary education at St. Edmund's School in Surrey, England, Eaglebrook School in Massachusetts, then at Deerfield Academy in the United States of America.  In 1980, entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, where he received his military education. Oxford University in 1984, undergoing a one year Special Studies course in International Politics and World Affairs. 1987, attended the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He undertook Advanced Study and Research in International Affairs under the auspices of the Master of Science in Foreign Service Program. (King since 7 February 1999) The monarchy is hereditary. Ali Abu al-Ragheb - Head of the Government Born : 1946 (Prime Minister since 19 June 2000) Prime minister appointed by the monarch. Legislative : Bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate (a 40-member body appointed by the monarch from designated categories of public figures ; members serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (80 seats ; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) Elections : House of Representatives - last held 4 November 1997 (next to be held NA November 2001)
KUWAIT (Dawlat al Kuwayt) UNIKOM	Régime : Constitutional Monarchy Sheikh JABIR Al Ahmad Al Jabir Al Sabah - Chief of State {Born in Kuwait 1928} [Educated at the Mubarkiah, Ahmadiah, and Sharquiah Schools as well as at the hands of private tuters] (Emir since 31 December 1977) The monarchy is hereditary.   Sheik SAAD Al 'Abd Allah Al Salim Al Sabah - Head of the Government {Born in Kuwait 1929} [Educated at Kuwait Government Schools and Hendon Police Academy,United Kingdom] (Prime Minister since 8 February 1978) Prime minister appointed by the monarch. Legislative : Unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats ; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Elections : last held 7 October 1996 (next to be held approximately October 2000)
LEBANON (Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah) UNIFIL	Regime : Republic Émile Jamil LAHOUD - Chief of State {Born 1936, Beirut - Lebanon} [Naval engineering in the United Kingdom from 1958 to 1960. N.B.C. course in the U.S.A. from 1967 to 1968. Naval Staff course in the U.S.A. (Rhodes Island) from 1972 to 1973. Naval Command College in the U.S.A. (Rhodes Island) from 1979 to 1980.] (President since 24 November 1998) President elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term ; election last held 15 October 1998 (next to be held NA 2004)   Rafiq al-HARIRI - Head of the Government {Born in Saida, Lebanon, in November of 1944} [Schooling in Saida and then received a diploma in Higher Commercial Studies from Beirut Arab University in 1966.] (Prime Minister since 23 Oct 2000 - 2nd time) Prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly. Legislative : Unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats ; members elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve four-year terms) Elections : last held in Aug. 2000 (next to be held NA 2004)
OMAN (Saltanat Uman)	Regime Monarchy QABOOS bin Sa'id Al 'Bu Sa'idi - Chief of State / Head of the Government (Sultan and Prime Minister since 2 January 1972) The monarch is both chief of state and head of government. The monarchy is hereditary. Legislative : Bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlis ad-Dawla (41 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis ash-Shura (82 seats ; members elected by limited suffrage, however, the monarch makes final selections and can negate election results ; body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only advisory powers) Elections : last held NA October 1997 (next to be held NA 2000)
QATAR (Dawlat Qatar)	Regime : Monarchy Amir (Shaikh) HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani - Chief of State {Born in Doha in 1952} [Attended primary and secondary schools in Doha, Qatar. Joined the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and graduated in July 1971. Joined the Qatari Armed Forces with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was appointed Commander of the First Mobile Regiment. Promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. (Shaik since 27 June 1995) note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of minister of defense and commander-in-chief of the armed forces The monarchy is hereditary ABDALLAH bin Khalifa Al Thani - Head of the Government {Born in 1959} (Prime Minister since 29 October 1996) Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch Legislative : Unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats ; members appointed by the monarch) note : the constitution calls for elections for part of this consultative body, but no elections have been held since 1970, when there were partial elections to the body ; Council members have had their terms extended every four years since.
SAUDI ARABIA (Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah)	Regime : Monarchy (Islamic Monarchy with Council of Ministers) King FAHD Ibn 'Abd al'Aziz Al Faysal Al Sa'ud - Chief of State {Born in 1923 in Riyadh} (King and Prime Minister since 13 June 1982) The monarch is both the chief of state and head of government. The monarchy is hereditary. Legislative : A consultative council (90 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms)
SYRIA (Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah)	Regime : Republic (military regime since March 1963 ) Dr. Bashar al-ASAD - Chief of State {Born in Damascus in 1965} [Primary and intermediate education was at the al-Huriyya Institute in Damascus. College of Medicine at Damascus University, graduating as a doctor in 1988. Specialized in ophthalmology at the Tishrin Military Hospital. In 1992 he traveled to Great Britain to pursue his specialist studies in ophthalmology and eye surgery.] (President since 17 Jul 2000) The presidential candidate is appointed by the parliament and needs to be confirmed for a seven year term in a referendum. The last referendum was at 10 july 2000. The government is formed by the Baath. Abdul al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM - Vice President {Born in 1932 in Banyas, a northern Syrian} (Vice-President since 11 June 2000) Vice presidents appointed by the president. awaiting Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA - Vice President (Vice-President since 11 march 1984) awaiting Dr.Muhammad Mustafa MIRO - Head of the Government {Born 1941} (Prime Minister since 13 March 2000) Prime minister appointed by the president. Legislative : Unicameral People's Council or Majlis al-shaab (250 seats ; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Elections : last held 30 November-1 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2002)
TURKEY (Turkiye Cumhuriyeti)	Regime : Republic Ahmet Necdet SEZNER- Chief of State {Born on September 13, 1941 in Afyon} [M.A of Law from the University of Law of Ankara.] (President since 16 May 2000) President elected by the National Assembly for a seven-year term ; election last held 16 May 2000 (next scheduled to be held NA May 2006) Bülent ECEVIT - Head of the Government (Prime Minister since 11 January 1999 - 4th time) Prime minister appointed by the president. Legislative : Unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Milliyet Meclisi (550 seats ; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Elections : last held 18 April 1999 (next to be held NA 2003)
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah)	Regime : Federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates Shaykh ZAYID ibn Sultan Al Nuhayyan of Abu Dhabi - Chief of State (President since 7 December 1971) President and vice president elected by the FSC (a group of seven electors) for five-year terms ; election last held NA October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) awaiting Shaykh MAKTUM ibn Rashid Al Maktum - Head of the Government (Prime Minister since 8 October 1979 - 2nd time) Prime minister appointed by the president Legislative : Unicameral Federal National Council or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats ; members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states to serve two-year terms) Elections : none.
YEMEN (Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah)	Regime : Republic Ali Abdullah SALIH - Chief of State (President since 22 May 1990) President SALIH was elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term, however, future presidents will be elected by direct, popular vote for five-year terms ; election last held 23 September 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) awaiting Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (Vice-President since October 1994) Vice president appointed by the president. awaiting Dr. Abd al-Karim Ali al-IRYANI - Head of the Government {Born in 1934 in the village of Iryan in the central highlands} [Studied biochemistry and genetics in the United States where he obtained a doctorate at Yale University.] (Prime Minister since 29 April 1998) Prime minister appointed by the president. Legislative : Unicameral House of Representatives (301 seats ; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Elections : last held 27 April 1997 (next to be held NA April 2001)

Dependencies and Associated States

PALESTINE (West Bank and Gaza Strip) (West Bank /Qita Ghazzah)

Regime :    The National Autorithy of Palestinen is an autonomous national entity in Gaza and the West Bank, territories largely occupied by Israel. Muhammad 'Abd ar-Ra'uf [Yasir] 'Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husayni (President of the Palestinian Authority since 12 February 1969) The president is elected by the people. The government is formed by the Fatah.

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