Mohammed Mzali

Early life

Mzali was born in Monastir, Tunisia in 1925. His descends from a family whose ancestor came from the Ait Mzal tribe, a Masmuda clan from the Sous who established the Hafsid dynasty in Tunisia in the 13th century. His ancestors settled in Tunisia after coming back from the Haj in the late 17th century.

Prime minister

Mzali was appointed Prime Minister of Tunisia by President Habib Bourguiba on 23 April 1980. In December 1983, under pressure from the International Monetary Fund, the government removed subsidies on flour and bread. This triggered the Tunisian bread riots, which were violently suppressed by the security forces with many deaths. President Bourguiba announced on 6 January 1984 that the increase in the price of bread and flour had been cancelled. He gave the impression that Mzali had not been authorized to raise prices.

The clumsy handling of the price rise damaged the position of Mzali, who had been seen as the probable successor to Bourguiba. Mzali temporarily assumed the post of Minister of the Interior. In an attempt to recover his popularity Mzali toured the provinces after the riots, promising projects to create new jobs. Mzali said, "the first lesson to be drawn from the events of January was that it is necessary to reorganise the forces of order so that they can respond adequately to all situations."

Later career

Mzali was dismissed in 1986 and fled to France. He was replaced by Rachid Sfar. Mzali wrote many books, one of them untitled "Un Premier ministre de Bourguiba témoigne". He served as a member of the International Olympic Committee from 1965 until his death. Mzali died on 23 June 2010 in Paris, France.

Personal life

Mzali met Fethia Mokhtar while they were both studying in Paris and they married in 1950. They had six children. She served as Tunisia's Minister for Women from 1983 until 1986.