Secretary-General to the Presidency (Syria)
| Secretary-General to the Presidency of Syria | |
|---|---|
| الأمين العام لرئاسة الجمهورية (Arabic) | |
since 5 April 2025 | |
| General Secretariat of the Presidency | |
| Style | Secretary-General (informal) |
| Reports to | President |
| Seat | Damascus, Syria |
| Appointer | President |
| Term length | No fixed term |
| Precursor | Ministry of Presidential Affairs |
| Formation | 13 December 2023 |
| First holder | |
| Deputy | |
The Secretary-General to the Presidency (Arabic: الأمين العام لرئاسة الجمهورية, ALA-LC: Al-Amīn al-‘Āmm li-Ri’āsat al-Jumhūriyya), is a senior administrative position within the Syrian government responsible for overseeing the administrative and organizational affairs of the Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic. It is considered one of the highest-ranking posts in the Syrian state.
During Ba'athist Syria under Bashar al-Assad, it was known as the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, which aimed to support the President in carrying out his duties and exercising his powers. The position of Secretary-General remained vacant until the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.
It has been held by Maher al-Sharaa since 5 April 2025, under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
History
During Ba'athist Syria, President Bashar al-Assad issued decrees on 13 December 2023 that established the "General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic," replacing the former Ministry of Presidential Affairs.[1] The decree stated that all staff of the former Ministry of Presidential Affairs were moved to the General Secretariat, where they reported instead of directly to the president.[2]
On 5 April 2025, the Syrian Presidency appointed Maher al-Sharaa as Secretary-General, succeeding Abdul Rahman Salama.[3]
Observers have described the position as a prime minister, even though it does not officially hold the title.[4] The position of Secretary-General was reportedly regarded as a high-ranking post within the Syrian state.[5][6] The position is also referred to as the Chief of staff of the Syrian Presidential Administration.[7][8]
Role and responsibilities
The Secretary-General is responsible for managing the administrative and organizational affairs of the Presidency, overseeing the President’s schedule, organizing official meetings and visits, and coordinating with government institutions to implement presidential directives.[9]
As Secretary-General, the position acts as the chief coordinator between the presidency and other government bodies, such as the cabinet, parliament, and military agencies. It is responsible for drafting resolutions, laws, and presidential decrees, as well as providing the president with political, economic, and social reports to support decision-making.[10][11] The role involves supervising the Presidency’s staff and attending official events as the president’s representative.[12]
During Ba'athist Syria under Bashar al-Assad’s government, the General Secretariat aimed to support the President in performing his duties and exercising his powers. It was responsible for managing and supervising the administrative, financial, and legal affairs of the Presidency and was headed by a Secretary-General.[1]
Officeholders
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Took office | Left office | President | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ba'athist Syria (2023–2024) | ||||||||||
| Vacant (13 December 2023 – 8 December 2024) | ||||||||||
| Transitional period (2024–present) | ||||||||||
| 1 | Abdul Rahman Salama (1971) |
2024 | 5 April 2025 | Ahmed al-Sharaa | ||||||
| 2 | Maher al-Sharaa (1973) |
5 April 2025 | Incumbent | |||||||
Notes
- ^ The first of post-Ba'athist Syria
- ^ As the Assistant Secretary-General of the Presidency for Cabinet Affairs
See also
References
- ^ a b Baraa (13 December 2023). "President al-Assad issues a decree on establishing General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic". Syrian Arab News Agency. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "What lies behind the changes of the Syrian regime". Enab Baladi. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "ماهر الشرع يتسلّم الأمانة العامة لرئاسة الجمهورية السورية" [Maher al-Sharaa assumes the General Secretariat of the Syrian Presidency]. Syria TV (in Arabic). 6 April 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Syria needs a strong parliament". Engelsberg ideas (in Swedish). Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ "Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's brother gets senior role in government". The New Arab. 6 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ yaser.alwesaby. "ماهر الشرع أميناً عاماً للرئاسة السورية". العربي الجديد (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 20 May 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "Александр Новак посетил с рабочим визитом Сирию". government.ru (in Russian). 20 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "BRIEF: Syria's interim cabinet—between inclusion & power consolidation – Etana Syria". etanasyria.org. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "ماهر الشرع يتسلّم الأمانة العامة لرئاسة الجمهورية السورية". www.syria.tv. 7 April 2025.
- ^ "Can the New Syrian Government Manage the Transitional Phase?". The Levant Studies Unit. 30 April 2025.
- ^ "الشرع يعين شقيقه ماهر أميناً عاماً للرئاسة السورية". aawsat.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "Maher Al-Shara Takes Over as Secretary General of the Syrian Presidency". Jordan News. 6 April 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.