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Djelloul Khatib
Djelloul KHATIB 1962.jpg
Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defence
In office
27 September 1962 – 19 June 1965
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Colonel Abdelkader Chabou
Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic
In office
19 June 1965 – 14 October 1970
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Doctor Amir Benaïssa
Governor of Batna
In office
1973–1976
Governor of Constantine
In office
1976 – 30 November 1980
Preceded by Amal Akbi
Succeeded by Chaabane Ait-Abderrahim
Governor of Oran
In office
1 December 1980 – 11 January 1982
Succeeded by Mohamed Rachid Merazi
Secretary of State in Charge of the Civil Service
In office
12 January 1982 – 22 January 1983
Preceded by Position established
Ambassador to Argentina
In office
23 January 1984 – 1 January 1988
Ambassador to Spain
In office
2 January 1988 – 20 September 1989
Personal details
Born
Djelloul Khatib

(1936-10-08)8 October 1936
Algiers, Algeria
Died 6 February 2017(2017-02-06) (aged 80)
Political party National Liberation Front
Military service
Allegiance Emblem of Algeria.svg
Branch/service
  • Armée de Libération Nationale (ALN)
  • People's National Army (PNP)
Years of service
  • 1956–1962 (ALN)
  • 1962–1965 (PNP)
Rank Commandant
Battles/wars Battle of Algiers (1956–57)
Suez Crisis
Algerian war of independence
Awards Ordre du merite national
Orden del libertador San Martín

Djelloul Khatib (born October 8, 1936 – died February 6, 2017) was an important figure in Algeria. He was known as "Commandant Djelloul." He fought for Algeria's independence and later became a key public servant. During the war, he helped make the National Liberation Army (NLA) more professional. After Algeria became independent, he played a big role in building up the country's government services.

Fighting for Independence

Djelloul Khatib grew up in the Casbah of Algiers. In 1956, he joined the fight for freedom in the Battle of Algiers (1956–57). He was then sent to Egypt by the National Liberation Army (NLA) for military training.

When the Suez Crisis started, he joined the fighting in Port Said. Later, he became an officer at the NLA's Eastern base near the border with Tunisia. He joined the First Supply Company. This group's job was to bring weapons and supplies from Tunisia to the mountains of Kabylia. The fighting there was very intense.

Crossing the Morice Line

Djelloul Khatib often crossed the Morice Line. This was a heavily guarded border fence built by the French. He worked as a link between the NLA's main command and the fighting units. He connected with groups in the Aures region and Kabylia. One of his first missions was to meet Colonel Amirouche, a hero of the independence war.

To show the world what was happening, Khatib helped media reporters. He brought them from the Tunisian border to the fighting areas. He worked with journalists like Nevill Barbour from the BBC. He also worked with Stevan Labudovic, Dirk Alvermann, and Nino Pulejo. He also helped set up the NLA's radio communication team.

By 1958, Djelloul Khatib became Secretary General of the NLA's Northern Zone Staff. Later, he became Secretary General of the NLA General Staff. He worked directly under Houari Boumédiène. In the last years of the war, he helped make the Liberation Army more professional. He also worked to strengthen the support needed for the fight. During these years, he became a close advisor to Boumediene.

Chadli Benjedid, Mohamed Abdelghani Benyoucef Benkhedda Abderrahmane Bensalem, Djelloul Khatib Etat Major Général EMG Zone Nord 1961
Chadli Bendjedid, Mohamed Abdelghani, Benyoucef Benkhedda, Abderrahmane Bensalem and Djelloul Khatib, General Staff, border between Algeria and Tunisia, 1961

After Independence: A Public Servant

Chief of Staff

After Algeria gained independence, Djelloul Khatib was appointed Chief of Staff. At just 26 years old, he became Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defence (1962-1965). Then, he became Chief of Staff of the Presidency (1965-1970). President Boumediene gave him many important tasks.

Khatib created the Comedor, a special group that planned how to develop the capital city of Algiers. Famous architects like Oscar Niemeyer worked with this group. Khatib also arranged for the return of the ashes of Emir Abdelkader. Emir Abdelkader was an early Algerian leader who fought against French rule. He had died in exile in Damascus.

Khatib also helped with talks that led to the Franco-Algerian agreement of 1968. This agreement still guides how Algeria and France work together. He was also one of the people who made the Algiers Panafrican Festival of 1969 a success. President Boumediene also asked Khatib to organize visits for important people. These included Che Guevara and Senator Ted Kennedy. The meeting with Senator Kennedy helped start a long partnership between the United States and Algeria in the oil and gas industry.

Working with Oscar Niemeyer

As the head of Comedor, Khatib worked closely with the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer. Their teamwork led to the building of important projects. One example is the first university in Constantine since Algeria's independence. Other plans from this time, even if not built, are still a key part of Oscar Niemeyer's work.

Governor of Provinces

Khatib was appointed Wali (Governor) of several provinces. He was Governor of Batna (1973-1976). Then, he was Governor of Constantine (1976-1980), which is Algeria's third-largest city. Finally, he was Governor of Oran (1980-1982), the country's second-largest city.

Secretary of State

He was named Secretary of State in charge of the Civil Service (1982-1984). During this time, Prime Minister Abdelghani asked him to help with the visit of George H. W. Bush in 1983. This was the first time a Vice-President of the United States visited Algeria.

Vice President George H.W. Bush et Djelloul Khatib, Alger1983
Vice President George H.W. Bush and Djelloul Khatib, Algiers, 1983

Ambassador

Djelloul Khatib then became the Ambassador to Argentina (1982-1984). He worked to improve economic and technical cooperation between Algeria and Argentina. This included working together on peaceful nuclear energy. By 1989, these efforts led to the building of the NOUR nuclear research reactor in Algeria. As a thank you for his work, Argentina's President Raul Alfonsin gave him the "Orden del Libertador San Martín" award.

S.M. Juan Carlos I et Djelloul Khatib, 1988
H.M. Juan Carlos I and Djelloul Khatib, Madrid, 1988

He was later the Ambassador to Spain from 1988 to 1989. There, he helped gain support for the Maghreb–Europe Gas Pipeline. This pipeline connects Algeria, Morocco, and Spain. He also helped with unofficial peace talks about the Basque conflict.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Djelloul Khatib para niños

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