__NOTOC__ Ahmed Osman (; born 3 January 1930) is a Moroccan politician who served as the

Prime Minister of Morocco The prime minister of Morocco, officially head of government (), is the head of government of the Morocco, Kingdom of Morocco. The prime minister is chosen by the king of Morocco from the largest party elected to Parliament of Morocco, parliamen ...

from 1972 to 1979. He was the brother-in-law of king Hassan II.

Early life

Osman was born on 3 January 1930 in

Oujda Oujda (, ) is a major city in northeast Morocco near the Algeria–Morocco border, border with Algeria. Oujda is the capital city of the Oriental (Morocco), Oriental region of northeastern Morocco and has a population of 506,224 people (2024 censu ...

. He studied law at the Royal College of Rabat with future king Hassan II. After obtaining his license there, he continued his education in

Bordeaux Bordeaux ( ; ; Gascon language, Gascon ; ) is a city on the river Garonne in the Gironde Departments of France, department, southwestern France. A port city, it is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, as well as the Prefectures in F ...

, where he received the diplomas of higher studies in public law and of private law.

Political career

Osman held many government positions. He was secretary-general of the Ministry of Defence (1959–1961), ambassador to

West Germany West Germany was the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) from its formation on 23 May 1949 until German reunification, its reunification with East Germany on 3 October 1990. It is sometimes known as the Bonn Republi ...

(1961–1962) and the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

(1968–1970), under-secretary at the Ministry of Mines and Industry (1962–1964), and president of the Moroccan General Navigation Company (1964–1967). On 19 November 1972, he was appointed prime minister by King Hassan II. Osman made a diplomatic visit to France in January 1976. On 3 December 1977, he met with President

Jimmy Carter James Earl Carter Jr. (October 1, 1924December 29, 2024) was an American politician and humanitarian who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party ...

of the United States to deliver a personal message from the king, along with ambassador Abdelmajid Benjelloun. On 9 March 1978, he visited the Soviet Union, signing a long-term agreement between the USSR and Morocco on the Soviet side. In 1978, Osman founded the National Rally of Independents (RNI). The following year, he resigned as prime minister in order to focus on his duties at the RNI, and went on to serve as president of the House of Representatives from 1984 to 1992. He remained the RNI's party leader until 2007.

Personal life

Osman married Princess Lalla Nuzha, a sister of king Hassan II, in 1964. They remained married until her death in an automobile accident in 1977 during

Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (''Fasting in Islam, sawm''), communal prayer (salah), reflection, and community. It is also the month in which the Quran is believed ...

. The couple had a son, ''Moulay'' Nawfal, who was born in 1966 and predeceased him in 1992. From a second marriage, Osman had another son, Ali, who is married to Alia Sefrioui, daughter of Anas Sefrioui.

Honours

National honours

* Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the Throne

Foreign honours

* Knight Grand Cross of the

Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (, or , BVO) is the highest state decoration, federal decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany. It may be awarded for any field of endeavor. It was created by the first List of president ...

(1962) * Knight Grand Cross of the

Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

* Knight Grand Cross of the

Order of Saint Michael and Saint George The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince of Wales (the future King George IV), while he was acting as prince regent for his father, King George I ...

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Osman, Ahmed 1930 births Living people Prime ministers of Morocco People from Oujda National Rally of Independents politicians Alumni of the Royal College (Rabat) Ambassadors of Morocco to France Ambassadors of Morocco to the United States Ambassadors of Morocco to Germany Presidents of the House of Representatives (Morocco) Grand Crosses 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George