History

The Order of Civil Merit (Wisam al-Satahaqaq al-Sun) was originally established as the "Honour Medal of Syrian Merit" by the high commissioner of the French Republic on April 10, 1926, as an award for courage (see SYR112). However, the award was redesigned, revised, and extended by Legislative Decree in 1953 or 1955 as the Order of Civil Merit. The Order is bestowed in 4 Classes, plus an Excellent Class, as Syria's second highest honour for civil merit. The Order is bestowed to Syrian and foreign personnel in recognition of distinguishment and exceptional merit in the fields of politics, science, arts, and administration. Others services which further the Arab cause are also eligible for recognition of the award. Recipients are normally initially admitted into the IV Class before promotion into higher classes, however, personnel who have demonstrated exceptional acts of bravery may be first admitted into a higher class.

The Order may also be awarded posthumously.

The Exceptional Class is conferred as the highest class of the order and is worn from a sash ribbon and with a Breast Star.

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