Mustafa Ben Halim facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mustafa Ben Halim مصطفى أحمد بن حليم
Ben Halim between 1949 and 1950
Prime Minister of Libya
In office 12 April 1954 – 25 May 1957
Monarch	Idris I
Preceded by	Muhammad Sakizli
Succeeded by	Abdul Majid Kubar
Foreign Minister of Libya
In office 3 December 1954 – 30 October 1956
Prime Minister	Himself
Preceded by	Abdul Salam al-Buseiri
Succeeded by	Ali Sahli
Transport Minister of Libya
In office 18 February 1954 – 19 December 1954
Prime Minister	Muhammad Sakizli Himself
Preceded by	Ibrahim ben Shaaban
Succeeded by	Ali Sahli
Personal details
Born	Mustafa Ahmed Ben Halim (1921-01-29)29 January 1921 Alexandria, Egypt
Died	7 December 2021(2021-12-07) (aged 100) United Arab Emirates
Spouse	Yusra Kanaan
Children	6, including Tarek

Mustafa Ahmed Ben Halim (مصطفى احمد بن حليم) was a Libyan politician and businessman. He held important leadership roles in the Kingdom of Libya from 1953 to 1960. He was the Prime Minister of Libya from April 12, 1954, to May 25, 1957. Through his work, he helped build the modern Libyan state.

Early Life and Education

Mustafa Ben Halim was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on January 29, 1921. His father was from Cyrenaican Libya. He sought safety in Egypt from the Italian occupation of Libya. Ben Halim studied civil engineering. He graduated from the University of Alexandria in 1943.

Rise to Power in Libya

Ben Halim returned to Libya in 1950. He wanted to help rebuild the country after World War II. Libya had been under Allied control. In 1953, he became the Minister of Public Works. At just 33 years old, he became Prime Minister in 1954. He held this important job until 1957.

During his time as Prime Minister, Ben Halim supported Libya's growth. He helped create laws for Libya's oil industry. This led to the discovery of oil in 1959. Under his leadership, Libya's oil areas were divided. This helped create fair competition. Ben Halim also started the University of Libya and the Central Bank of Libya.

As Prime Minister, Ben Halim worked to build strong ties with Western countries. These included Great Britain, the United States, and France. Because of these relationships, Libya received aid from Britain and the U.S. This happened during the Cold War. Ben Halim also built good relationships with the Soviet Union. This helped Libya gain recognition at the United Nations. In 1957, Ben Halim resigned as Prime Minister. He felt that King Idris was not fully committed to a more open democracy. Even with these differences, they remained close friends.

From 1957 to 1958, Ben Halim was a special advisor to King Idris. Later, from 1958 to 1960, he served as Libya's Ambassador to France. During this time, he helped negotiate a truce. This truce was between France and the FLN during the Algerian War.

Life After Public Service

Ben Halim left public service in 1960. He returned to Tripoli to start his own construction business. He created the Libyan Company for Engineering and Construction (Libeco). He partnered with the U.S. company Brown and Root. Later, he also worked with Bechtel. He also started other businesses. These included the Libyan Company for Soap and Chemicals. He also founded the Libyan Gas Company. This company supplied Libya's nitrogen and oxygen needs. He also helped start the Bank of North Africa. This bank was a joint effort with Morgan Guaranty Trust and the British Bank of the Middle East. He became the Chairman of the bank's board.

Between 1964 and 1968, Ben Halim advised King Idris. He suggested changes to government systems. However, these changes were not fully put into place. In 1969, Ben Halim was on holiday in Switzerland. While he was away, Muammar al-Gaddafi took power in Libya. After this, Ben Halim could not return home. For the next 15 years, he was tried in court without being there. He was accused of "corrupting political life."

Life in Exile and Return

Since he could not return to Libya, Ben Halim lived in London for a short time. He and his family were given political asylum there. In 1970, he moved to Beirut, Lebanon. He started new businesses there. In 1973, someone tried to kidnap him. This attempt was by people hired by Muammar Gaddafi. This forced Ben Halim to move his family back to London. In the years that followed, there were several attempts to harm Ben Halim. British Intelligence helped stop these attempts.

In 1975, Ben Halim became a citizen of Saudi Arabia. Six years earlier, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia had given his family passports. This allowed them to travel and do business. In 1980, he became a personal advisor to Crown Prince Fahd bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia.

Ben Halim was the last living former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Libya. He was also the only one who saw the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. After Gaddafi's fall, Ben Halim returned to Libya. He had been away for 42 years. The Libyan people welcomed him warmly. His house in Tripoli, which had been looked after by a guard, was taken by the guard. The guard then claimed it as his own.

Family Life and Passing

Ben Halim was married to Yusra Kanaan. They had six children:

• Amr Ben Halim is the founder of Al Yusr Industrial Contracting Company. He also started the Forum for Democratic Libya in 2011. This group promotes democracy in Libya.
• Hany Ben Halim works in real estate.
• Tarek Ben Halim founded Alfanar in 2004. This was the Arab region's first organization that helps social businesses. Tarek returned to Libya in 2005/2006. He wanted to support Saif al-Islam Gaddafi in his efforts to bring political change. Tarek resigned in 2008 because he felt there was no real desire for reform. He passed away in December 2009.
• Ahmed Ben Halim co-founded The Capital Partnership in 1998. He also founded Libya Holdings Group. This company invests in Libya's energy, infrastructure, and financial sectors.
• Abir Challah, born Abir Ben Halim.
• Sherine Ben Halim Jafar is an author. Her book "Under the Copper Covers" is about food from North Africa and the Middle East.

Mustafa Ben Halim turned 100 years old on January 29, 2021. He passed away on December 7, 2021.

Honours

• Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of Idris I

Images for kids

• 

  Ben Halim between 1949 and 1950

See Also

In Spanish: Mustafa Ben Halim para niños