Ali Zeidan, a human rights lawyer and activist, was elected by the 200-strong Libyan General Congress as Interim Prime Minister for a transitional period of about 18 months. Ali Zeidan, who was supported by the Liberal block within the Libyan Congress led by the National Forces Alliance of Mahmoud Jibril, won 93 votes while his […]
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Ismail Serageldin, an enlightened scholar brought to court
Ismail Serageldin, the director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, is being sued for squandering public funds after library staff accused him of abuse of power claiming he unfairly appointed advisors and gave them huge salaries. He was also accused of embezzling donations destined to the library and illegally transferring them to a bank account controlled by […]
Hamid Chabat: from union activist to leader of Morocco’s Istiqlal
Hamid Chabat, a former factory worker and mechanic , has been elected Secretary General of the Istiqlal party, one of the most powerful political parties in Morocco. Nothing predestined this man, who started his career at the bottom of the ladder, to this spectacular rise except his boundless ambition that he started to kindle since […]
Algeria: Will PM Sellal be up to economic, social challenges?
Algeria is said to have been spared the turmoil of the Arab Spring and the legislative elections held last May gave, contrary to analysts’ forecasts, an overwhelming majority to the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN). The long awaited change was not at the rendez-vous, still, Algerians were hoping that the new cabinet that was to […]
Former opposition figure elected Libya’s PM
Mustafa Abu Shagour, a technocrat and a leading member of Libya’s oldest opposition movement, was elected on Wednesday as the country’s new prime minister. Abu Shagour, who was holding the position of deputy Prime Minister, was elected by the 200-strong national assembly on Wednesday. He won 96 votes, against 94 votes for his challenger Mahmud […]




