Haffar, Lotfi al- (1885-1968): Syrian politician. Born in Damascus. He studied Islamic history and economics. In 1906, he helped to found the Arab Renaissance Society, a secret Arab movement that opposed Turkish rule. He joined the People’s Party in 1925, and served as a Minister of Trade and Public Work in 1926. He was exiled to the town of Hassaka (NE Syria) during the government crisis of 1928. He was also among the founders of the National Block, and was elected a Member of Parliament several times. Back to the government, he headed the ministries of finance, education and interior. In 1928, he suggested dragging clean drinking water to Damascus from ‘Ain al-Fijeh spring. The project was completed in 1932, and he served as a Supervisor General in the Establishment of ‘Ain al-Fijeh Water, a position he kept till 1958.