Wael Nader Al-Halqi (Arabic: وائل نادر الحلقي, romanized: Wāʾil Nādir al-Ḥalqī; born 4 February 1964) is a Syrian politician who was Prime Minister of Syria from 2012 to 2016.[1] Previously he was Minister of Health from 2011 to 2012. He was appointed as Prime Minister on 9 August 2012.
Wael Nader al-Halqi | |
|---|---|
وائل نادر الحلقي | |
 Halqi in 2014 | |
| 66th Prime Minister of Syria | |
| In office 9 August 2012 – 3 July 2016 | |
| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Deputy | Fahd Jassem al-Freij Walid Muallem |
| Preceded by | Omar Ibrahim Ghalawanji (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Imad Khamis |
| Minister of Health | |
| In office 14 April 2011 – 26 August 2012 | |
| Prime Minister | Adel Safar Riyad Farid Hijab Omar Ibrahim Ghalawanji (Acting) |
| Preceded by | Rida Adnan Said |
| Succeeded by | Saad Abdel-Salam al-Nayef |
| Member of the Regional Command of the Syrian Regional Branch of the Baath Party | |
| In office 8 July 2013 – 3 July 2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 February 1964 Jasim, Daraa Governorate, Syria |
| Political party | Ba'ath Party |
| Other political affiliations | National Progressive Front |
| Alma mater | Damascus University |
| Profession | Politician, Medical Doctor |
| Cabinet | al-Halqi I al-Halqi II |
Early life and education
editHalqi was born in Jasim in the Daraa Governorate on 4 February 1964 into a Sunni Muslim family.[2][3] He earned a degree in medicine (MD) from the University of Damascus in 1987 and a master's degree in gynaecology and obstetrics again from the University of Damascus in 1991.[4]
Career
editHalqi served as director of primary health care in Jasim from 1997 to 2000 and was secretary of the Daraa branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party from 2000 to 2004.[4] He served as the director of health in Daraa, and in 2010, was appointed head of Syria's doctors.[4] He was appointed as Prime Minister of Syria on 9 August 2012 by President Bashar Assad, after his predecessor Riyad Farid Hijab fled to Jordan and declared his allegiance to the Syrian opposition.[5] Dr. Wael al-Halqi took many efforts in fighting terrorism during his premiership. He is titled as The Chief of Fighting Terrorism Government in Syria.
Attempted assassination
editIn April 2013, Halqi survived an apparent assassination attempt by car bombing in the Mezzeh district of Damascus.[6][7] The assassination attempt killed six people.[8]
Personal life
editDr al-Halqi is married and has four children,[4] one daughter and three sons.
See also
edit- ^ "Syrian prime minister to visit Iran". Tehran Times. 9 January 2013. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- ^ "Assad appoints health minister Wael al-Halki as new PM". Mpelembe. Damascus. Reuters. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ^ "Syria's Assad appoints new prime minister". Al Jazeera. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ^ a b c d Tamayo, Carolina (9 August 2012). "Syria's Assad appoints new PM after defection". NTN 24. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ^ "Syria's Assad appoints new prime minister". Al Jazeera. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ^ "Syria crisis: PM Halaqi 'survives Damascus car bombing'". BBC News. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ Matthew Weaver (29 April 2013). "Syria crisis: PM 'survives' Damascus bomb attack - live updates". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ Six die but Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halki survives bomb attack on convoy in Damascus The Independent