Background
Habi Chatty was born on 9 August 1916 in M'saken, Tunisia.
Habi Chatty was born on 9 August 1916 in M'saken, Tunisia.
After leaving school he entered journalism in 1937.
Made his mark as editor of “Ez Zohra” from 1943 to 1950 and then edited "Es Sabah” from 1950 to 1952. When his nationalist activities were intensified the French authorities put him in prison from 1952 to 1953. The following year he took charge of Press and Public Relations for the Ben Ammar government. In April 1956 Bourguiba made him Head of the Information Service in his first government.'
In September 1956 he was initiated into diplomacy as a Tunisian delegate to the United Nations. He quickly proved his talent in this field and was assigned as Ambassador to Lebanon and Iraq from 1957 to 1959. As delegate to the Arab League he led Tunisia’s walk-out in September 1958. His next posting was as Ambassador to Turkey and Iran from 1959 to 1962 followed by just over two years in London as Ambassador from March 1962 until June 1964.
Then he was assigned to Morocco until 1968. After service in Algeria he was brought back to Tunis by Bourguiba to succeed Farhat in the Presidential Office.
Journalist for 15 years, ambassador for 15 years. In both capacities highly regarded by Bourguiba. Short, neatly dressed and a polished speaker. Suave in style, shrewd in assessing situations and skilled in conciliation. With ministerial rank at the President’s side, he was a man of considerable influence.