born Nov. 14, 1922, Cairo, Egypt
Sixth secretary-general of the United Nations (1992–96), the first Arab and first African to hold the office.
A descendant of a distinguished Egyptian Coptic family, he was educated at Cairo University and the University of Paris. After teaching at universities around the world, he joined Egypt's foreign ministry in 1977. As foreign minister, he accompanied Pres. Anwar el-Sādāt to Jerusalem. He became Egypt's deputy prime minister in 1991 and was appointed UN secretary-general in 1992. During his single term he oversaw peacekeeping operations in Bosnia, Somalia, and Rwanda and led the UN in its 50th-anniversary celebration. In 1996 the U.S. blocked his bid for a second term.