Syrian republic under a nationalist Arab government hostile towards the minorities. They also wanted the Golan region to become a national homeland for Circassian refugees from the Caucasus. A Circassian battalion served in the French Army of the Levant and had helped it against the Arab nationalist uprisings. As in Al-Jazira Province, the French authorities refused to grant any autonomy status to the Golan Circassians. Economy Already in 1921, the French wanted to develop the agricultural sector and over a feasibility study of the Union Economique de Syrie the North-East Syrian and the Alawite State were deemed profitable for the cotton cultivation. Investments began in 1924, but it took until the 1930s to produce more than the level reached in 1925. By 1933, Palestine was the largest importer of Syrian goods, while the French held a share of 7.5% of the imports. Between the two World Wars, France became the largest trader of goods of the French Mandate. From 1933 onwards, Japan was also a large source for imports. Kingdom of Syria (1918-1920) Heads of Government King French Mandate of Syria (1920-1939) Acting Heads of State President Heads of State Presidents High Commissioners 26 Nov 1919 – 23 Nov 1922: Henri Gouraud 23 Nov 1922 – 17 Apr 1923: Robert de Caix (acting) 19 Apr 1923 – 29 Nov 1924: Maxime Weygand 29 Nov 1924 – 23 Dec 1925: Maurice Sarrail 23 Dec 1925 – 23 Jun 1926: Henry de Jouvenel Aug 1926 – 16 Jul 1933: Auguste Henri Ponsot 16 Jul 1933 – Jan 1939: Damien de Martel Jan 1939 – Nov 1940: Gabriel Puaux 24 Nov 1940 – 27 Nov 1940: Jean Chiappe (died on flight to take office) 6 Dec 1940 – 16 Jun 1941: Henri Dentz 24 Jun 1941 – 7 Jun 1943: Georges Catroux 7 Jun 1943 – 23 Nov 1943: Jean Helleu 23 Nov 1943 – 23 Jan 1944: Yves Chataigneau 23 Jan 1944 – 1 Sep 1946: Étienne Paul-Émile-Marie Beynet See also French colonial empire French colonial flags French Lebanese List of French possessions and colonies Modern history of Syria Notes Further reading Primary sources Haut-commissariat de la République française en Syrie et au Liban, Recueil des actes administratifs du Haut-commissariat de la République française en Syrie et au Liban, Bibliothèque numérique patrimoniale, Aix-Marseille University Haut-commissariat de la République française en Syrie et au Liban, Bulletin officiel des actes administratifs du Haut commissariat