Zaid al-Rifai (Arabic: زيد الرفاعي; 27 November 1936 – 12 August 2024) was a Jordanian politician who served as the 22nd prime minister of Jordan from May 1973 to July 1976, and again from April 1984 to April 1989.

Zaid al-Rifai
زيد الرفاعي
President of the Senate
In office
8 June 1997 – 17 December 2009
MonarchAbdullah II
Preceded byAhmad al-Lawzi
Succeeded byTaher Nashat al-Masri
Prime Minister of Jordan
In office
4 April 1984 – 27 April 1989
MonarchHussein
Preceded byAhmad Obeidat
Succeeded byZaid ibn Shaker
In office
26 May 1973 – 13 July 1976
MonarchHussein
Preceded byAhmad al-Lawzi
Succeeded byMudar Badran
Personal details
Born
Zaid Sameer al-Rifai

(1936-11-27)27 November 1936
Amman, Transjordan, British Empire
Died12 August 2024(2024-08-12) (aged 87)
ChildrenSamir Rifai (son)
Alma materHarvard University
ProfessionPolitician

Biography

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Rifai served as prime minister and formed four different governments, the last of which was Jordan's longest lasting government in the history of the kingdom. It lasted for a term of 5 years and 23 days from 4 April 1984 to 27 April 1989. His father, Sameer al-Rifai, his father-in-law, Bahjat Talhouni, and his son, Samir Rifai, all served as Jordanian prime minister.

Rifai survived an assassination attempt on 15 December 1971 while he was serving as the ambassador of Jordan to the United Kingdom.[1] The perpetrators were the members of the Fatah, and the reason for the attack was the Black September events which led to the departure of the Palestinians from Jordan in 1970.[1]

Rifai was the president of the Senate of Jordan from June 1997 to December 2009.[2] On 12 December 2009, he resigned from office.[3]

Rifai died on 12 August 2024, at the age of 87.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Fuad Jabber (1973). "The Arab Regimes and the Palestinian Revolution, 1967-71". Journal of Palestine Studies. 2 (2): 100. doi:10.2307/2535482. JSTOR 2535482.
  2. ^ "Previous Councils − The Senate of Jordan". Senate of Jordan. 12 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Senate President tenders resignation to King". Petra News Agency. 12 December 2009. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  4. ^ Former PM Zaid Al-Rifai passes away Ammon News
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Political offices
Preceded by Prime Minister of Jordan
1973–1976
Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Jordan
1984–1989
Succeeded by