Background
Was born on February 27, 1921, at a small village near Setif.
Was born on February 27, 1921, at a small village near Setif.
Educated locally and then at Algiers, where he graduated in law.
Deputy Secretary-General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, appointed 1970.
After a lean period in the last year of Ben Bella’s administration he emerged from the shadows after Boumedienne's revolutionary coup in June 1965 and has established since then an increasing influence at the Foreign Ministry.
As a founder member of the General Union of Algerian Moslem Students (UGEMA) with Bouteflika, he rose to be vice-president and its legal adviser. He also became a member of the central committee of the Movement for the Triumph of Democratic Liberties (MTLD). He went to Japan as FLN representative in Asia and the Pacific. As organiser of the external liaison service of the provisional government he worked in Cairo and Tunisia and took part in international conferences.
In 1962 he was put in charge of the East European Department at the Foreign Ministry and became Assistant Secretary-General in the following year. In 1964 he was appointed Ambassador to Japan after which he was transferred to Tunisia.
A leading intellectual in government service, who directed the liberation movement's external relations and helped establish the framework of the diplomatic service after independence.
Nicknamed "Socrates” by his colleagues in the ministry because of his tendency to philosophize.