867N.01/3–2149: Airgram
The Consul at Jerusalem (Burdett) to the Secretary of State
A–41. Amman and Ramallah Arabic newspapers announce the termination of the military government in Arab Palestine and the establishment of a civil administration, retroactive to March 15, 1949.
According to the official announcement Omar Pasha Mater, formerly Military Governor General of Palestine has been appointed Civil Governor General of Arab Palestine and will be under the Ministry of the Interior of Transjordan. Other appointments are: Abdullah Bey el Tel as Commissioner for the Jerusalem District (seconded from the Arab Legion); Ahmad Bey el Khalil as Commissioner for Samaria District; Na’iem Bey Touqan as Commissioner for Hebron District.
The Palestine Post in commenting on the change in government says that it was scheduled to take place on April 1, 1949, but that the date was advanced in order to present the Arab League and the Arab States at the Beirut Conference with the established fact that Transjordan was in control of the area.