Mohieddin Fikini
Encyclopedia
Mohieddin Fikini was the Prime Minister of Libya
from 19 March 1963 to 22 January 1964. He was also the Minister of foreign affairs from 19 March 1963 to 22 January 1964.
. His father, Mohammed ben Khalifa Fikini, was one the leaders of resistance against the Italian invasion of Libya
in 1911. In 1923, after the collapse of the resistance against the Italians (partially because of Mohammed Fikini's failure along with other leaders to unify their efforts against the invaders), Mohammed Fikini left Tripolitania for Fezzan
along with his family.
with his family for Algeria
via Ghat, and at last reached Tunisia
, and chose to live at Gabès
. He remained there until his death in 1950. His family returned to Tripoli
in 1953.
and got his doctorate in 1953. The title of his thesis was "Le règlement de la question libyenne par l'Organisation des Nations Unies". He also learned to speak Italian, English, and French. Fikini participated in the agreements made by the Libyan government with the governments of Britain, the United States, and Italy between 1953–1956. Fikini served as Libya's ambassador in Egypt
(1957–1958), and from late 1958 simultaneously in the United States, and the United Nations
.
assigned Fikini to form a new cabinet, in which he also became also foreign minister. His government accomplished some memorable achievements like:
However, Fikini's government didn't last long. In January 1964, many young people in Benghazi
made a demonstration because of the King's absence in an Arab summit in Cairo
, Egypt
(although Fikini himself was there), and some police officers behaved hard and shot some demonstrators, some of them were killed. After his return, Fikini promised to punish any one involved in this case. This led to a disagreement with the commander of the security force Mahmud Buguaitin who defended his officers (though he didn't order them to shoot the demonstrators). Fikini asked the King to remove Buguaitin. Buguaitin was a loyal officer to King Idris, and fought in the Senussi force with the British forces in World War II, so the King refused Fikini's demand. Fikini presented his resignation and King Idris accepted it in 22 January 1964.
in 1982 along with many officials from the Kingdom era.
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
from 19 March 1963 to 22 January 1964. He was also the Minister of foreign affairs from 19 March 1963 to 22 January 1964.
Family background
Mohieddin Fikini is a descendant of Rajban tribe in Djebel Nefusa, TripolitaniaTripolitania
Tripolitania or Tripolitana is a historic region and former province of Libya.Tripolitania was a separate Italian colony from 1927 to 1934...
. His father, Mohammed ben Khalifa Fikini, was one the leaders of resistance against the Italian invasion of Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
in 1911. In 1923, after the collapse of the resistance against the Italians (partially because of Mohammed Fikini's failure along with other leaders to unify their efforts against the invaders), Mohammed Fikini left Tripolitania for Fezzan
Fezzan
Fezzan is a south western region of modern Libya. It is largely desert but broken by mountains, uplands, and dry river valleys in the north, where oases enable ancient towns and villages to survive deep in the otherwise inhospitable Sahara.-Name:...
along with his family.
Early life
Mohieddin Fikini was born in Fezzan in 1925. In 1929, the Italians launched their offensive against Fezzan, so his father left FezzanFezzan
Fezzan is a south western region of modern Libya. It is largely desert but broken by mountains, uplands, and dry river valleys in the north, where oases enable ancient towns and villages to survive deep in the otherwise inhospitable Sahara.-Name:...
with his family for Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
via Ghat, and at last reached Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, and chose to live at Gabès
Gabès
Gabès , also spelt Cabès, Cabes, Kabes, Gabbs and Gaps, the ancient Tacape, is the capital city of the Gabès Governorate, a province of Tunisia. It lies on the coast of the Gulf of Gabès. With a population of 116,323 it is the 6th largest Tunisian city.-History:Strabo refers to Tacape as an...
. He remained there until his death in 1950. His family returned to Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
in 1953.
Before Premiership
Mohieddin Fikini was successful in his studies. He studied law in the University of ParisUniversity of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
and got his doctorate in 1953. The title of his thesis was "Le règlement de la question libyenne par l'Organisation des Nations Unies". He also learned to speak Italian, English, and French. Fikini participated in the agreements made by the Libyan government with the governments of Britain, the United States, and Italy between 1953–1956. Fikini served as Libya's ambassador in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
(1957–1958), and from late 1958 simultaneously in the United States, and the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
Prime minister
In March 1963, King Idris I of LibyaIdris I of Libya
Idris, GBE , , was the first and only king of Libya, reigning from 1951 to 1969, and the Chief of the Senussi Muslim order.- Early life :...
assigned Fikini to form a new cabinet, in which he also became also foreign minister. His government accomplished some memorable achievements like:
- Replacing the federal system in Libya with a central government in April 1963.
- Launching the first five-year plan for development (1963–1968) in June 1963.
- Amendments of some articles of the 1951 Libyan constitution, one of which gave the women the right to vote. This right will be lost by both of men and women in September 1969.
However, Fikini's government didn't last long. In January 1964, many young people in Benghazi
Benghazi
Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
made a demonstration because of the King's absence in an Arab summit in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
(although Fikini himself was there), and some police officers behaved hard and shot some demonstrators, some of them were killed. After his return, Fikini promised to punish any one involved in this case. This led to a disagreement with the commander of the security force Mahmud Buguaitin who defended his officers (though he didn't order them to shoot the demonstrators). Fikini asked the King to remove Buguaitin. Buguaitin was a loyal officer to King Idris, and fought in the Senussi force with the British forces in World War II, so the King refused Fikini's demand. Fikini presented his resignation and King Idris accepted it in 22 January 1964.
Later life
Thereafter, Fikini headed no political posts. The most recent information about him that he met the Libyan leader Muammar GaddafiMuammar Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
in 1982 along with many officials from the Kingdom era.