He was named chairman on 29 August 2011.[ citation needed] His chairmanship was criticized for his perceived closeness to the Muslim Brotherhood, his early reluctance to arm opposition forces, and what opponents called the autocratic nature…
Al-Zahar served as foreign affairs minister in the Hamas-dominated Palestinian Authority Government of March 2006 (also known as the First Haniyeh Government) that was sworn in on 29 March 2006 and lasted until 17 March 2007.