ARIAS NAVARRO, CARLOS

born Dec. 11, 1908, Madrid, Spain died Nov. 27, 1989, Madrid Spanish politician, the only civilian premier appointed by dictator General Francisco Franco. After receiving a doctorate in law, Arias Navarro began his service with the Ministry of Justice in 1929. During the Spanish Civil War (193639), he was imprisoned by the Republicans, a group loyal to the republic, but he was freed by Franco's forces, to which he was closely allied, and made a military prosecutor. Arias Navarro then served as civil governor of the province of Len (194449), governor of Navarre (1949), director general of security (195765), mayor of Madrid (196573), and minister of the interior (1973). His appointment as premier took place after the bombing death of Premier Luis Carrero Blanco in 1973. It was Arias Navarro who broke the news of Franco's death to the public in 1975. He resigned as premier under King Juan Carlos in 1976.