Faisal Mekdad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Faisal Mekdad
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فيصل المقداد
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Mekdad in 2017
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| Vice President of Syria | |
| In office 23 September 2024 – 8 December 2024 Serving with Najah al-Attar
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| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Preceded by | Farouk al-Sharaa |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates | |
| In office 22 November 2020 – 23 September 2024 |
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| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Prime Minister | Hussein Arnous |
| Preceded by | Walid Muallem |
| Succeeded by | Bassam al-Sabbagh |
| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 1 August 2006 – 22 November 2020 |
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| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Preceded by | Walid Muallem |
| Succeeded by | Bashar Jaafari |
| 13th Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations | |
| In office 18 September 2003 – 31 July 2006 |
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| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Preceded by | Mikhail Wehbe |
| Succeeded by | Bashar Jaafari |
| Member of the Central Command of the Ba'ath Party | |
| In office 4 May 2024 – 8 December 2024 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 February 1954 Ghasm, Daraa Governorate, Syria |
| Political party | Ba'ath Party |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Damascus |
| Alma mater | Damascus University (BA) Charles University in Prague (PhD) |
| Profession | Politician, Diplomat |
Faisal Mekdad (Arabic: فيصل المقداد; born 5 February 1954) is a Syrian diplomat and politician. He served as the Vice President of Syria from September to December 2024. He was the last person to hold this position under President Bashar al-Assad and the Ba'ath Party government. Before that, he was the Foreign Minister of Syria from 2020 to 2024. He also worked as Syria's main representative to the United Nations from 2003 to 2006.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Faisal Mekdad was born in 1954 in a village called Ghasm in the Daraa Governorate of Syria. He studied at Damascus University, where he earned a degree in English in 1978. Later, he received his PhD in English Literature from Charles University in Prague in 1993.
While studying at Charles University, he was involved with the International Union of Students. He was also a member of the leadership team for the Revolutionary Youth Union. He was very active in student groups at Damascus University and even won an award for his research on the history of student movements in Asia.
Political Career
After finishing his studies at Charles University, Faisal Mekdad began working for the Syrian Foreign Ministry. In 1994, he joined the diplomatic team, focusing on international organizations and conferences. The next year, he moved to the Syrian team at the United Nations, where he worked on various UN committees.
In 1996, he became the Deputy to Syria's main representative at the United Nations. Then, in 2003, Mekdad himself became the Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations. He held this important role until 2006, when he was appointed Deputy Foreign Minister. He even received an award, the Order of Civil Merit, from the Spanish King Juan Carlos I.
On 22 November 2020, after the death of the previous minister, Walid Muallem, Mekdad became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In this role, he took part in discussions about improving relations between Syria and Turkey from 2023 to 2024. He was also a key figure in talks to restore Syria's full membership in the Arab League.
On 23 September 2024, he was appointed Vice President of Syria, focusing on foreign and information policies. He officially took his oath as Vice President on 10 October 2024. His time in these government positions ended in December 2024.
Role During the Syrian Conflict
During the Syrian civil war, Faisal Mekdad supported the Syrian government's actions. He stated that the government was fighting against armed groups. In 2013, when asked if the government was winning the conflict, he said, "We shall win it, we are winning it, yes." He was also part of the Syrian government's team at the Geneva II Conference on Syria, which aimed to find a peaceful solution.
In January 2021, the European Union placed restrictions on Mekdad due to his role during the conflict. The United Kingdom followed suit a couple of months later, stating he shared responsibility for the government's actions against civilians.
Personal Life
Faisal Mekdad is married and has three children: one son and two daughters. In May 2013, his father was taken by gunmen in their home village of Ghasm.
See also
In Spanish: Faisal Mekdad para niños
