President of the Arab Union

The President of the Union (Arabic: رئيس الاتحاد ra’īs al-ittiḥād) is the head of state of the Arab Union and its 20 constituent republics. The head of government is the Prime Minister. The President is elected in a direct election to a six-year term; there is no limit to the number of terms a president may serve consecutively. The President is responsible for confirming the Council of Ministers, whose members are nominated and led by the Prime Minister, who is himself appointed by the Arab Congress. The Council of Ministers is this responsible to the Arab Congress, but ultimately answers to the President.

According to the 1999 constitution, the President serves ex officio as commander-in-chief of the Arab Union Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the National Police of each member republic.

The official residence and workplace of the President of the Arab Union is Abdeen Palace, located in Cairo. Bashar al-Assad became the second President of the Arab Union in July 2000, succeeding his late father, Hafez al-Assad.