President of Iraq

Republic of Iraq (1958-2003)
For most of the country's history, Iraq's presidents have been authoritarian dictators occupying an office without a clearly designed constitutional structure. Such presidents exercised all power single-handedly, operating only with the consultation of a small cabinet.

Name Born-Died Took Office Left Office Party Notes
Muhammad Najib ar-Ruba'i 1904 - ? July 14, 1958 February 8, 1963 Military deposed
Abdul Salam Arif 1921 - 1966 February 8, 1963 April 13, 1966 Military / Arab Socialist Union died in office
Abd ar-Rahman al-Bazzaz (acting) 1913 - 1973 April 13, 1966 April 16, 1966 Military
Abdul Rahman Arif 1916 - 2007 April 16, 1966 July 17, 1968 Military / Arab Socialist Union deposed
Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr 1914 - 1982 July 17, 1968 July 16, 1979 Military / Ba'ath resigned
Saddam Hussein 1937 - 2006 July 16, 1979 April 9, 2003 Ba'ath deposed


Iraq Interim Governing Council and Coalition Provisional Authority (2003-2004)