Background
Was born in 1931 at Setif, capital of the Sétif Province in eastern Algeria.
Was born in 1931 at Setif, capital of the Sétif Province in eastern Algeria.
Educated locally, then at Algiers where he went to university and took a degree in Islamic law. He continued his studies in France and obtained a law degree from Aix en Provence University.
A scholar in Arabic literature with an up-to-date knowledge of public relations as a former Press chief at the Foreign Ministry. Well informed on most world issues, especially the European Economic Community problems, he speaks English as well as French and Arabic.
Straight from university he plunged into politics and became chef of cabinet to the President of the Provisional Executive in 1962. After independence he was sent to Brussels with the rank of counsellor at the Algerian Embassy to become an expert in EEC affairs. In 1964 he was appointed Director of Press and Information at the Foreign Ministry. When Boumedienne began reconstructing the presidential cabinet he called in Hamdani as legal counsellor in 1968. Having proved his usefulness, he was promoted Deputy Secretary-General in 1970. In 1973 he was active in preparing the new role of state enterprises in the second four-year plan for 1974-1978 as deputy chairman to Cherif Belkacem on the National Commission for the Socialist Management of Institutions.
A man of great political influence close to the President and often his extra eyes and ears at meetings with visiting delegations.
