born Sept. 3, 1938, near Sousse, Tun.
President of Tunisia (from 1987).
Trained as a soldier, he headed the defense ministry's military intelligence section for 10 years (1964–74) before entering the foreign service. He served as ambassador to Poland before returning home to hold several domestic government posts, which culminated in a dual appointment as prime minister and interior minister. In 1987 he replaced President Habib Bourguiba , who had been declared medically unfit. He was returned to office in elections in 1989, 1994, and 1999.