Shahabandar, Abdul Rahman (1879-1940): Syrian politician. He studied medicine at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and graduated in 1908. He was chosen by King Faisal I to be the foreign minister of the short-lived independent Syrian government in 1920. He strongly opposed the French mandate, and was one of leaders of the Syrian revolt against the French in 1925. He cofounded the People's Party. He was assassinated in 1940.