- Muhammad VIII al-Amin
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Muhammad VIII King of Tunisia Reign 15 May 1943 - 25 July 1957 Full name Muhammad al-Amin Name in Arabic الأمين باي بن محمد الحبيب Born September 4, 1881 Died September 30, 1962 (aged 81)Place of death Tunis, Tunis Governorate
TunisiaPredecessor Muhammad VII Successor Husain Bey
as Pretender 30 September 1962Dynasty Husainid Dynasty Father Muhammad VI al-Habib Religious beliefs Islam Muhammad VIII al-Amin (4 September 1881 – 30 September 1962) (Arabic: الأمين باي بن محمد الحبيب, al-ʾAmīn Bāy bin Muḥammad al-Ḥabīb) was the last bey of Tunisia (15 May 1943 and 20 March 1956). He was the first head of state (as king or bey) of independent Tunisia from 1956 until he was deposed in 1957. He was the son of Muhammad VI al-Habib, bey of Tunis.
Muhammad became bey after the Free French Forces deposed his cousin Muhammad VII al-Munsif on the accusation that he was a Vichy collaborator. On 20 March 1956 he proclaimed the independence of Tunisia and became King of Tunisia with the style of His Majesty. A monarchy did not meet the expectations of future president Habib Bourguiba, who replaced the Royal Guard at Carthage Palace with his own loyal soldiers. By his command all the telephone lines to the palace were cut and the king put under house arrest 15 July 1957, and on 25 July the Tunisian Constituent Assembly deposed the king.
Muhammad was moved to a government-watched residence at La Manouba, but was permitted to return to Tunis after his wife died. He never abdicated his throne rights. He died in Tunis and was buried at the Tomb of King Muhammad al-Amin. Muhammad was succeeded as head of the Husainid Dynasty and heir to the throne and titular king by Husain Bey.
Bibliography
- Martin Meredith. The State of Africa. — Free Press (London), 2005. — ISBN 978-0-7432-3222-7
Preceded by
Muhammad VII al-MunsifBey of Tunis
1943–1956Succeeded by
changed to KingPreceded by
changed from BeyKing of Tunisia
1956–1957Succeeded by
Post abolishedCategories:- 1881 births
- 1962 deaths
- Beys of Tunis
- Kings of Tunisia
- African royalty stubs
- Tunisian politician stubs
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