Muhammad Najib ar-Ruba'i

Who was Muhammad Najib ar-Ruba'i?

Muhammad Najib Ar-Ruba'i was the first President of Iraq from July 14, 1958 to February 8, 1963.

Together with Abdul Karim Qassim, he was one of the leaders of the coup that toppled King Faisal II in 1958. On October 7, 1959 there was an unsuccessful assassination attempt on his life by twenty year-old Saddam Hussein.

While Qassim became prime minister and held most of the power, Rubai was elected head of state with the title of Chairman of the Sovereignty Council. The Sovereignty Council had a representative from each of the three main religious sects. Rubai represented the Sunni community.

In 1963, Qassim was deposed by another coup led by Abd as-Salam Arif. Ar-Rubai had to retire from politics.

Ar-Ruba'i died in 1965.