faisal was the first of hussein's sons to gain an official role, in oeta east, a joint arab-british military administration. the arab and british armies entered damascus on 1 october 1918, and on 3 october 1918 ali rida al-rikabi was appointed military governor of oeta east. faisal entered damascus as on 4 october and appointed rikabi chief of the council of directors (i.e. prime minister) of syria. the territory consisted of the ottoman damascus vilayet and the southern part of the aleppo vilayet. the area of ma'an and aqaba became subject of a dispute.