Abdelmunim Rifai (; 23 February 1917 – 17 October 1985) was a prominent Jordanian political figure and held several significant positions within the government throughout his career, including serving as the 18th Prime Minister of Jordan in 1969 and 1970 and in various ministerial roles.Shimoni, Yaakov. Biographical Dictionary of the Middle East (1991), p. 194.
Early Life Abdulmunim Rifai was born on 23 February 1917 in Tyre, Lebanon, to Talib al Rifai a Palestinian originally from Safed, and Najla Bakkar a Southern Lebanese women. During his childhood, he lived with his family in Tyre, Safed, Tiberias and Beisan. He received his early education in Safed and Haifa. In 1926, he moved to Amman, where he completed his secondary education. In 1931, he enrolled at the American University of Beirut, graduating with a degree in Arabic literature in 1937. He is the younger brother of Samir Rifai and the uncle of Zaid Rifai. He was Jordan's first Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 1956. Rifai was also one of Jordan's most prominent poets and penned the lyrics of the Jordanian national and royal anthem.
Political Roles
Early Roles in Government
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs: Abdul Munim Rifai served in the fourth government of His Excellency Bahjat Talhouni from October 7, 1967, to April 25, 1968. Minister of Foreign Affairs: He held this role in the same government from April 25, 1968, to March 24, 1969.
Prime Ministerial Tenures
First Term as Prime Minister: Rifai formed his first government on March 24, 1969, serving as Prime Minister until June 30, 1969. He subsequently retained the position of Prime Minister while also serving as Minister of Culture and Information from June 30, 1969, to August 13, 1969. Rifai then became Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister in the fifth government of Bahjat Talhouni, serving from August 13, 1969, to April 19, 1970. He continued in these capacities in the sixth government of Talhouni from April 19, 1970, to June 27, 1970. Second Term as Prime Minister: Rifai established his second government on June 27, 1970, remaining in office until September 15, 1970. During this period, he served as Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Culture, Media, Tourism, and Antiquities.
See also List of prime ministers of Jordan
References
External links Prime Ministry of Jordan website