Abdul Hamid al-Bakkoush (Arabic: عبد الحميد البكوش; 10 August 1933 – 2 May 2007) was a Libyan lawyer, diplomat, and politician who served as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Libya from 25 October 1967 to 4 September 1968.
Early Life and Career Al-Bakkoush was born on 10 August 1933. He studied law and entered public service, eventually holding the office of Minister of Justice three times between January 1964 and September 1968.
Prime Minister (1967–1968) He was appointed Prime Minister by King Idris I during a period of severe domestic unrest following the 1967 Six-Day War, which had triggered anti-Western riots and demands to expel foreign military bases from Libya. During his tenure, Libya joined with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to create the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) in 1968, aimed at coordinating oil production, refining, transport, and commercialization among the three states. In July 1968, Libya also signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty under his administration.
Later Career and Exile After leaving the premiership, al-Bakkoush served as Libya's ambassador to France. Following the 1969 coup that brought Muammar Gaddafi to power and the subsequent proclamation of the Jamahiriya, al-Bakkoush went into exile, first to London, then to Paris, and eventually settled in Cairo, Egypt, in 1977. In 1982, he founded the Libyan Liberation Organization and joined the Libyan National Salvation Front (LNSF), becoming a prominent leader of the opposition in exile.
Faked Assassination Incident In November 1984, following intelligence that a Libyan hit squad had arrived in Cairo, Egyptian officials staged a fake assassination of al-Bakkoush, publishing staged photographs in the press. The Libyan government announced the assassination as a success, further deteriorating already poor relations between Egypt and Libya.
Death Abdul Hamid al-Bakkoush died on 2 May 2007 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
