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Ali Zeidan
علي زيدان
Ali Zeidan at US State Department 2013.png
Zeidan at the US State Department, 2013
Prime Minister of Libya
In office
14 November 2012 – 11 March 2014
President Mohammed Magariaf
Juma Ahmad Atigha (Acting)
Nouri Abusahmain
Preceded by Abdurrahim El-Keib
Succeeded by Abdullah al-Thani
Personal details
Born (1950-12-05) 5 December 1950 (age 74)
Waddan, Fezzan-Ghadamès (now Libya)
Citizenship Libya
Germany
Political party National Party For Development and Welfare
Alma mater Jawaharlal Nehru University
Religion Sunni Islam

Ali Zeidan (born 5 December 1950) is a former Prime Minister of Libya. He was chosen for this role by the General National Congress on 14 October 2012. He officially started his job on 14 November after his chosen team of ministers was approved.

Before the Libyan Civil War, Zeidan worked as a human rights lawyer in Geneva, Switzerland. Some people in Libya saw him as a strong and independent thinker. He was removed from his position by the parliament on 14 March 2014 and left Libya. However, he later stated that his removal was not valid.

Ali Zeidan's Career Journey

Ali M. Z. Ben Zedan World Economic Forum 2013 (cropped)
Zedan at the World Economic Forum in 2013

Ali Zeidan was born in 1950 in the town of Waddan, Libya. In the 1970s, he worked as a diplomat for Libya. He served in India alongside Ambassador Mohammed Magariaf. In 1980, both men left their government jobs and helped create a group called the National Front for the Salvation of Libya. Zeidan lived outside Libya, mostly in Geneva, for almost 30 years after this.

During the Libyan revolution, Zeidan acted as an envoy (a special representative) for the National Transitional Council in Europe. He played an important part in convincing French President Nicolas Sarkozy to support the groups fighting against the government at that time.

Becoming a Congressman

On 7 July 2012, Ali Zeidan was elected as an independent congressman for the Jufra District. This happened during the 2012 Libyan General National Congress election. He tried to become the Speaker of the Congress, which is like the leader of the parliament. However, he lost to his former colleague Mohammed Magariaf. Zeidan received 85 votes. On 10 October 2012, Zeidan gave up his seat in Congress.

Serving as Prime Minister

After another politician, Mustafa A.G. Abushagur, could not form a government, Zeidan decided to run for Prime Minister. He competed against Mohammed Al-Harari. Zeidan was chosen as the Prime Minister-designate (the person selected to be Prime Minister) by a vote of 93 to 85. He then had two weeks to present his proposed government team for approval.

Zeidan's team of ministers was approved by Congress on 31 October 2012. His government officially started on 14 November. Zeidan's team included ministers from different political groups and regions of Libya. This was done to ensure a fair balance.

When he took office, Zeidan promised that his government would follow the country's rules. He said they would work hard for the nation based on fair laws, human rights, and democracy.

Kidnappings of Ali Zeidan

Ali Zeidan was taken against his will two times.

Kidnapped in 2013

On 10 October 2013, Zeidan was taken from a hotel in Tripoli. A group called the Joint Operations Room of Libya's Revolutionaries said they took him. They claimed it was because his government might have helped the United States capture a person named Anas al-Liby. They also mentioned his calls for international help to build Libya's army and police. Zeidan was released just a few hours later.

Kidnapped in 2017

Zeidan was taken again on 14 August 2017. This happened in a hotel in Tripoli. He was held for ten days. On 22 August, he was released without any clear reasons given by the people who took him.

Removal from Office

On 11 March 2014, an oil tanker called Morning Glory left a rebel-controlled port in Libya. It was carrying Libyan oil that had been taken by rebels. Ali Zeidan had promised to stop the ship, but he could not. On the same day, Zeidan was reported to have been removed from his position by the parliament. He then left for Europe, even though he was not allowed to leave the country. However, he later stated that his removal was not valid.

Alleged Trip to Malta

On 8 June 2014, there was a claim that Ali Zeidan was living in Malta and was protected by the Maltese government. However, the government of Malta denied this claim.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Alí Zeidan para niños

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