Mansur al-Atrash was a Syrian politician and journalist. Together with fellow university students, Atrash became a founding member of the Ba'ath Party and its Syrian regional branch in 1947. During the presidency of Adib Shishakli (1951–54), he became an anti-government activist and was imprisoned twice, only to be released in an unsuccessful attempt by Shishakli to gain the support of Atrash's father, Sultan. In the year Shishakli was overthrown, Atrash was elected to parliament and turned down an offer to serve in Said al-Ghazzi's government. During the period of the United Arab Republic (1958–61), Atrash became a strong supporter of Egyptian president and pan-Arab leader Gamal Abdel Nasser. He opposed Syria's secession from the UAR and turned down offers to serve in successive separatist governments in protest.
Portrait of Mansur al-Atrash, 1963–1966
Hasan Mraywed and Mansour al-Atrash at the American University of Beirut in the 1940s
Founders of the Baath Party during its formation in Damascus - April 1947
Baath MPs Salah al-Bitar and Mansour al-Atrash voting in Parliament - 1955
Adib al-Shishakli was a Syrian military officer who served as President of Syria from 1953 to 1954. He was overthrown and later assassinated.
Adib Shishakli
