Salim Rubai Ali

Salem Rubai Ali (سالم ربيع علي; 17 June 1934 – 26 June 1978 ), known by his comrades as Salemeen (سالمين), was the Marxist head of state of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen) from 22 June 1969 until his execution on 26 June 1978.

Ali led the left wing of the National Front for the Liberation of South Yemen (NLF), which forced the British to withdraw from southern Yemen on 29 November 1967. Ali's radical Marxist faction gained dominance over the more moderate President Qahtan al-Shaabi's elements, allowing Ali to seize power; he retained the title of Chairman of the Presidential Council throughout his term, even as the NLF changed the name of the country from the People's Republic of South Yemen to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen in 1970.

Ali's National Front joined with other parties in 1975, creating the United Political Organisation NF (التنظيم السياسي الموحد الجبهة القومية), all rival parties having been outlawed earlier. He opposed the idea of the Yemeni Socialist Party's (YSP) future creation promoted by Abdul Fattah Ismail. He appointed Muhammad Ali Haitham as his Prime Minister when he became chairman. Haitham served until August 1971, when he was replaced by Ali Nasir Muhammad. In 1978, the collective leadership of the YSP led by Abdul Fattah Ismail overthrew and executed Ali.

Links

 * Ahmad Salmin about his father for the first time, alshibami.net; accessed December 3, 2014.
 * Salim Rubai Ali with his son, alshibami.net; accessed December 3, 2014.
 * President Salim Rubai Ali on board of the Soviet vessel from Nishtun to Socotra (January 1978), pics.photographer.ru; accessed December 3, 2014.