The National Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party was the ruling organ of the Ba'ath Party between sessions of the National Congress, and was headed by a secretary general. Between National Congresses, the National Command was held accountable by the National Consultative Council (Arabic: al-majlis al-istishari al-quami). The National Consultative Council was a forum made up of representatives from the party's regional branches. However, the number of National Consultative Council members were decided by the size of the regional branch. The National Congress elected the National Command, National Tribunal, the party's discipline body, and the secretary general, the party leader. The congress delegates determined the party's policies and procedures.
The National Command had sweeping authority. The National Congress was the only body which could hold a vote of confidence against the National Command. It had the authority to establish party organizations, to direct the affairs of subordinate party organs which, according to the party's Internal Rules, could not "for any reason direct themselves", the authority to elect and dissolve a Regional Command, to approve party-to-party cooperation, to approve of the party's participation in government and legislative assemblies, to publish works in the party's name, to direct party policy on international affairs and decide on all matters regarding party policy. Because of these responsibilities several National Command organs were established, such as the Secretariat and the National Liaisons Office.
Before 1954, the party was ruled by the Executive Committee, but this organ, along with others, were replaced at the 2nd National Congress (for more, see "Structure" section). In Ba'athist jargon "Nation" means the Arab Nation, and because of that, the National Command formed the highest policy-making and coordinating council for the Ba'ath movement throughout the Arab world. The National Command had several bureaus, similar to those of the Regional Command. National Command sessions were held monthly. Of these, the National Liaisons Office was responsible for maintaining contact with the party's Regional Branches.
Structure
Amid Michel Aflaq (1947–1954) Secretaries General Michel Aflaq (1954–1965) Munif Razzaz (1965–1966) National Congresses 1st National Congress (4–6 April 1947) 2nd National Congress (June 1954) 3rd National Congress (27 August – 1 September 1959) 4th National Congress (August 1960) 5th National Congress (8 May 1962) 6th National Congress (5–23 October 1963) 7th National Congress (12–17 February 1964) 8th National Congress (April 1965)
National Consultative Council National Tribunal Organs of the National Command Secretariat Cultural and Research Department Propaganda Department Publications Department Information Department Finance Department National Liaisons Office
Members +Members of the Executive Committee and the 2nd–8th National Commands Name Took office Left office Representing(Regional Branch) Term(s) Duration Note 6 April 1947 23 February 1966 Syria 8 Served as the party's Secretary General from 1947 to 1965. 6 April 1947 1 September 1959 Syria 2 6 April 1947 June 1954 1 6 April 1947 1952 Syria 1 1949 1952 1 1949 1952 1 1949 1952 1 1952 1 September 1959 Syria 1 The former leader of the Arab Socialist Party. 1952 June 1954 1 A politician from the Arab Socialist Party. June 1954 August 1960 Iraq 2 Served as the Regional Secretary of the Iraqi Regional Branch. June 1954 23 October 1964 Lebanon 4 Served as the Regional Secretary of the Lebanese Regional Branch. June 1954 1 September 1959 Jordan 1 Served as the Regional Secretary of the Jordanese Regional Branch. June 1954 1 September 1959 Jordan 1 1 September 1959 May 1962 Lebanon 2 1 September 1959 May 1962 Lebanon 2 1 September 1959 May 1962 Iraq 2 Served as the Regional Secretary of the Iraqi Regional Branch. 1 September 1959 May 1962 Iraq 2 1 September 1959 23 October 1963 Palestine 3 Was elected to the National Command at the 3rd National Congress as a Lebanese Regional Branch representative. 1 September 1959 23 February 1966 Jordan 5 Served as the party's Secretary General from 1965 to 1966. 1 September 1959 August 1960 Jordan 1 May 1962 23 October 1963 Jordan 1 August 1960 May 1962 Iraq 1 August 1960 May 1962 Iraq 1 August 1960 May 1962 Lebanon 1 May 1962 18 February 1964 Iraq 2 Served as the Regional Secretary of the Iraqi Regional Branch. May 1962 18 February 1964 Iraq 2 Served as the Regional Secretary of the Iraqi Regional Branch. May 1962 23 February 1966 Lebanon 4 May 1962 23 October 1963 Lebanon 1 Served as the Regional Secretary of the Lebanese Regional Branch. 18 February 1964 April 1965 Lebanon 1 May 1962 April 1965 Lebanon 3 23 October 1963 23 February 1966 Syria 3 Served as the Regional Secretary of the Syrian Regional Branch. 23 October 1963 23 February 1966 Syria 3 Served as the Assistant Regional Secretary of the Syrian Regional Branch. 23 October 1963 18 February 1964 Syria 1 Served as the Regional Secretary of the Syrian Regional Branch. 23 October 1963 18 February 1964 Iraq 1 23 October 1963 23 February 1966 Iraq 3 Served as the Regional Secretary of the Iraqi Regional Branch. 23 October 1963 18 February 1964 Iraq 1 23 October 1963 18 February 1964 Jordan 1 18 February 1964 May 1965 Syria 1 18 February 1964 23 February 1966 Syria 1 18 February 1964 23 February 1966 Syria 1 18 February 1964 23 February 1966 Lebanon 2 18 February 1964 23 February 1966 Saudi Arabia 2 May 1965 23 February 1966 Syria 1 May 1965 23 February 1966 Syria 1
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