National Command of the Ba'ath Party

The National Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party was the ruling organ of the Ba'ath Party between sessions of the National Congress, and was headed by a secretary general.^[1] Between National Congresses, the National Command was held accountable by the National Consultative Council (Arabic: al-majlis al-istishari al-quami).^[2] The National Consultative Council was a forum made up of representatives from the party's regional branches.^[2] However, the number of National Consultative Council members were decided by the size of the regional branch.^[2] The National Congress elected the National Command, National Tribunal, the party's discipline body, and the secretary general, the party leader.^[2] The congress delegates determined the party's policies and procedures.^[2]

The National Command had sweeping authority.^[3] The National Congress was the only body which could hold a vote of confidence against the National Command.^[3] It had the authority to establish party organizations, to direct the affairs of subordinate party organs which, according to the party's Internal Rules, could not "for any reason direct themselves", the authority to elect and dissolve a Regional Command, to approve party-to-party cooperation, to approve of the party's participation in government and legislative assemblies, to publish works in the party's name, to direct party policy on international affairs and decide on all matters regarding party policy.^[3] Because of these responsibilities several National Command organs were established, such as the Secretariat and the National Liaisons Office.^[3]

Before 1954, the party was ruled by the Executive Committee, but this organ, along with others, were replaced at the 2nd National Congress (for more, see "Structure" section).^[1] In Ba'athist jargon "Nation" means the Arab Nation, and because of that, the National Command formed the highest policy-making and coordinating council for the Ba'ath movement throughout the Arab world.^[1] The National Command had several bureaus, similar to those of the Regional Command.^[2] National Command sessions were held monthly.^[2] Of these, the National Liaisons Office was responsible for maintaining contact with the party's Regional Branches.^[4]