After the 1973 Yom Kippur War, he led the Syrian delegation to the United States in April 1974, negotiating the conditions of the Syrian–Israeli disengagement.

On 12 August 1974, he was appointed chief of staff of the Syrian Army, replacing Youssef Chakkour, who was promoted to deputy defense minister.

In December 1983, while President Hafez al-Assad was ill, Shihabi was part, along with General Mustafa Tlass and Ali Duba, of the committee in charge of running the country.

[7] On 8 July 1998, after serving 24 years as army chief of staff, Shihabi resigned his position ahead of Hafez al-Assad’s death and was succeeded by Ali Aslan.

[8][9] Citing health issues and a heart condition, Shihabi explained his resignation to President Assad, who had wished to extend his service.