New 10-2006: Hashim al-Atasi, the president of the National Bloc, leaving government headquarters after high-level talks with Prime Minister Ata al-Ayyubi in September 1936. Atasi had just returned from Paris, having negotiated and signed a treaty with French Prime Minister Leon Blum that grants gradual independence to Syria. The Bloc’s victory was so popular that it prompted President Mohammad Ali al-Abid to resign from office. In this picture, Atasi raises his hand saluting the masses and walking next to him is a troubled Prime Minister Ayyubi. Shortly afterwards, elections took place (under the auspices of Ayyubi) and Atasi was elected president of the republic to replace the retired Abid.