Shishakli, Adib al- (1909-1964), Syrian army officer and president of Syria (1953-1954). He was born in Hama and served with the French army during the mandate. He fought against Israeli during the Palestine war 1948. He overthrew the government of Sami al-Hinnawi in December 1949, and became minister of defense, allowing the Parliament to remain intact. He initiated a second coup in 1951, when he ordered the arrest of Prime Minister Fawzi Selo, his associate in 1949, who had proposed a government that Shishakli could not accept. After this second coup, he suppressed most political parties and established a dictatorship. He only assumed power officially in June 1953 when he was elected president in a referendum. He supported the West and strongly opposed Israel. In August 1952, he established the Arab Liberation Movement, a mass-based political party under his leadership. However, Syrian politicians refused to join the Movement, and they united in opposition to Shishakli's rule. He was overthrown on February 25, 1954, and was forced to leave to Brazil.