Abdul Rauf al-Kasm

Abdul Rauf al-Kasm was a Syrian architect, academic and politician who served as prime minister of Syria during the 1980s. He was the longest-serving prime minister of Syria.

Early life

Kasm was born in Damascus in 1932, into a Sunni family. Abdul Rauf was the second son of Muhammad Atallah al-Kasm, a Damascene scholar and mufti from 1918 until his death in 1938.

Career

Kasm was professor of architecture at Damascus University. He was a member of the Baath Party. He served as Prime Minister of Syria from 9 January 1980 to 1 November 1987 under the presidency of Hafez al-Assad. Enjoying full support of president Assad, Kasm tried to end corruption by senior officers. However, his clash with then defense minister Mustafa Tlass led to his removal from office in 1987. After leaving office, he served as a senior consultant for national security.

Death

Kasm died on 19 October 2025, at the age of 92 or 93.