Former Syrian premier being investigated

The regional leadership of the Baath Party had discussed practices and violations made by "comrade" Mahmoud al-Zou'bi while he was assuming his post as a prime minister. Behaviors which are in contradiction with the Baath "doctrines and principles and constitute a violation to the law in causing great damages in the Baath party reputation, the state and the national economy."

According to article 77 of the constituent of the Baath Party the Baath Party regional leadership decided to expel Mahmoud al-Zou'bi from the Baath Party and to ask sides concerned to investigate him and bring him before the court to be tried according to enforced rules and regulations.

According to all these the Baath Party leadership discussed to proposal of the Syrian Baath Party leadership and decided to expel al-Zou'bi from the Baath Party and to bring him before the court.

The expulsion in the logic of the ruling Baath Party means not permitting him to return back to the Baath party lines. This is the first time such a measure is taken against a high ranking official.

Earlier former chief of the intelligence Lt. Gen. Bashir al-Najjar was brought into the economic court at charges of corruption in the framework of the campaign led by col. Bashar al-Assad in fighting administrative corruption which targeted director generals and officials in government's sectors.

The Baath party had also earlier decided to expel of Refaat al-Assad, brother of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad from the Baath party by the beginning of 1998. Also member of the Baath Party national leadership Muhammad Haidar was also expelled under the same charges in 1999.

Well-informed sources said the corruption fighting campaign " will reach its peak in the coming phase," since the decision to try al-Zou'bi paves the way for other trials.