Abbas, Ferhat

Abbas, Ferhat (Mekki)

(born Aug. 24, 1899, Chahna, Alg.—died Dec. 24, 1985, Algiers) Algerian political leader who served as first president of the provisional government of the Algerian Republic (1958). Originally a Francophile, he became disillusioned with France, and during World War II (1939–45) he issued a condemnation of French rule, demanding a constitution that would grant equality to all Algerians. He joined the National Liberation Front (FLN), which helped achieve independence from France (1958–62). He was elected president of the Algerian Constituent Assembly in 1962 but resigned in 1963 following a dispute within the FLN. See also Young Algerians.