Bassam Abdel Majeed (Adyghe: Бэсим-Абдулмэджид, romanized: Bəsim-Abdulmədjid; Arabic: بسام عبد المجيد Basām 'Abd al-Majīd; born 1950) is a Syrian military officer, politician and diplomat of Circassian origin.[1]
Bassam Abdel Majeed | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Interior | |
| In office 11 February 2006 – 23 April 2009 | |
| President | Bashar Assad |
| Prime Minister | Mohammad Naji Al Otari |
| Preceded by | Ghazi Kanaan |
| Succeeded by | Said Mohammad Sammour |
| Ambassador to Belarus | |
| In office ?–2019 | |
| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Succeeded by | Farouk Taha |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1950 (age 73–74) Beer Ajam, Syria |
| Political party | Syrian Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party |
| Military service | |
| Rank | Major General |
Early life and education edit
Majeed is of Circassian origin,[2] and was born into a Sunni Muslim family in 1950 in Beer Ajam, a village in the Quneitra Governorate in southwestern Syria.[3] He attended Syria's Air Force Academy, graduating in 1970.[3]
Career edit
Majeed held several military and security posts.[3] He was director of the military police from 2003 to 2006.[2] He was appointed the interior minister of Syria on 11 February 2006,[2][4] succeeding Ghazi Kanaan.[5][6] When he was in office, Hezbollah commander Imad Mugniyeh was killed in Damascus in February 2008.[7] Majeed described the attack as "terrorist act".[8]
Majeed's term lasted until 23 April 2009 and he was replaced by Said Mohammad Sammour.[9] In October 2009, Majeed was appointed Syria's ambassador to Kuwait.[10]
Personal life edit
Majeed is married, and has two daughters and one son.[citation needed]
References edit
- ^ "Belarus-Syria intergovernmental commission to sit in early 2019". 4 December 2018.
- ^ a b c Sami Moubayed (16–22 February 2006). "Strengthening the line". Al Ahram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ^ a b c Landis, Joshua (11 February 2006). "The New Syrian Cabinet". Syria Comment. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
- ^ "Assad reshuffles cabinet amid pressure". TVNZ. 12 February 2006. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
- ^ "Syrian leader reshuffles cabinet". BBC. 11 February 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
- ^ "Syria Fills Vacancies in Cabinet Ministries". The New York Times. p. 16.
- ^ "Ministerial Reshuffle Disappoints". IWPR. 1 May 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
- ^ Oweis, Khaled Yacoub (13 February 2008). "Killing of Hezbollah commander "terrorist act"-Syria". Reuters. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
- ^ "Syria: Ministerial Reshuffle Disappoints". Middle East Institute. 11 May 2009. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
- ^ "Syrian Ambassador to Kuwait sworn in before President Al-Assad". KUNA. Damascus. 25 October 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2013.