Salim Rubai Ali

Salim Rubai Ali (Arabic: سالم ربيع علي; ca. 1935 – 26 June 1978) was the head of state of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen) from 22 June 1969 until his surrender and execution by firing squad on 26 June 1978. Rubai Ali led the left wing of the National Front for the Liberation of South Yemen (NF), which forced the British to withdraw from South Arabia on 29 November 1967. Rubai Ali's radicals gained dominance over the more moderate President Qahtan al-Shaabi's elements, allowing Rubai Ali to seize power; he retained the title of Chairman of the Presidential Council throughout his term, even as the NF changed the name of the country from the People's Republic of South Yemen to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen in 1970.

Rubai Ali's NF joined with other parties in 1975, creating the United Political Organisation NF (التنظيم السياسي الموحد الجبهة القومية), all rival parties were outlawed earlier. He opposed the idea of the Yemeni Socialist Party's (YSP) future creation promoted by Abdul Fattah Ismail. He appointed Muhammad Ali Haitham as his Prime Minister when he became Chairman. Haitham served until August 1971, when he was replaced by Ali Nasir Muhammad. In 1978, Ali Nasir Muhammad overthrew and executed Rubai Ali, after a short battle which took place in Almodowar Palace, located in At-Tawahi, Aden, which Rubai Ali used as a fortification.