COUP D'ETAT IN SYRIA

Chronicle (Levin), 31 March 1949, Page 5

COUP D'ETAT IN SYRIA

(N.Z.P.A-

->Reuter,

Army Leader Seizes Power CABINET MEMBERS ARRESTED

Copyttght )

Beccivefi Tfiursfiay, 10.15 a.m, LONDON, Marcfi 30, Colonel H.usui Zaim, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Army, has staged a coup d'etat and proclaimed! himself dictator of Syria. Other proclamations imposed martial law throughout the- country, put a eurfew in operation and fprbade the earrying of arms on 1 pain of death. The Army has ■ ajrested the Syrian President, M. Shukri Bey Kuwatli, the Premier, M, Khaied, El-Nazem, and his Caibinet. The Army has seiz.ed contrQl of all military and1 Civii afi airs, including inDemal security. Reuter's Damascus correspondent says1 that Colonel Zaim said: '"Ur-j-ent measures have been taken and a - few persons arrested. A new constitutional Government is expected to be formed soon," Colonel Zaim added that the measures taken were purely internal and had no connection what,#ver with any foreign reiations, Damascus radio quoted Colonel Zaim as saying: 'Tmpelled by patriotic zeal and smarting under the treacherous rule of ourvselfstyled 'sincere' rulers, we have been forced to overthrow the former Government and temporarily must take on ou.rselves the task of government. We shall 'be most loyal to our nation. We are not driven by ambition, but only by the desire to create really a democratic State."