Khouri, Fares al- (1877-1962): Prime minister of Syria (1944-1945, 1954-1955). A member of King Faisal's government in 1920. After exile in Lebanon, he was a cofounder and leader of the National Bloc since 1928. He was elected speaker of the parliament three times (1936-1939, 1943, 1945-1949).