Dr. Riyad Farid Hijab was born in Der Ezzor in Deir ez-Zor Governorate

Deir ez-Zor Governorate

Deir ez-Zor Governorate or Muhafazah Dayr az Zawr is one of the fourteen governorates of Syria. It is situated in eastern Syria, bordering Iraq. It has an area of 33,060 km² and a population of 1,202,000...

 in 1966. He holds a doctorate in agricultural engineering.

Early life, education and career

Hijab was President of the Azzour branch of the National Union of Syrian Students from 1989 until 1998. He was a member of the leadership of the Party Branch from 1998 until 2004. He became secretary of the Der Ezzor branch of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party from 2004 to 2008.

Hijab was appointed governor of Quneitra Governorate under Decree No. 336 of 2008, and on 22 February 2011 he was appointed governor of Latakia Governorate

Latakia Governorate

Latakia Governorate or muhafazah al Ladhiqiyah is one of the fourteen governorates of Syria. It is situated in western Syria, bordering Turkey. Its reported area varies in different sources from 2,297 km² to 2,437 km² . The Governorate has a population of 991,000 and is one of the...

. He was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform on 14 April 2011, replacing Adel Safar

Adel Safar

Adel Safar is a Syrian politician and academic, serving as Prime Minister of Syria since 3 April 2011. He previously served as Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform from 2003 to 2011.-Early life and education:...

 who had been named Prime Minister of Syria.

External links

• Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform official government website