Mustafa Tlass
Kasm was professor of architecture at Damascus University. He was a member of the Baath Party. He served as Prime Minister of Syria from 9 January 1980 to 1 November 1987 under the presidency of Hafez Al-Asad. Enjoying full support of president Assad, Kasm tried to end corruption by senior officers. However, his clash with then defense minister Mustafa Tlass led his removal from office in 1987. After leaving office, he served as a senior consultant for national security.