Ahmed Ben Bella

Ahmed Ben Bella , 1919-, Algerian statesman. After World War II he joined the Algerian nationalist movement and soon became a leader of its terrorist faction. He later (1952-56) served as director of the movement. Imprisoned (1956-62) for his activities, he became Algeria's first premier after independence was declared in 1962 and was elected president in 1963. In 1965, Ben Bella's government was toppled in a coup led by Houari Boumedienne and kept under house arrest until 1979.

Ben Bella, (Muhammad) Ahmed (1916– ) Algerian statesman, prime minister (1962–63), president (1963–65). He was director (1952–56) of the Front de Libération Nationale (FLN). Imprisoned (1956–62) by the French, Ben Bella was released to become the first prime minister of an independent Algeria. He was deposed in a coup (1965) led by Houari Boumedienne. After 15 years in prison, he went into exile (1980–90) in France where he formed the Movement for Democracy in Algeria (MDA).

Ben Bella, (Muhammad) Ahmed (1916– ) Algerian statesman, Prime Minister (1962–63) and President (1963–65). In 1952 he founded the Front de Libération Nationale (FLN), which instigated the Algerian War of Independence (1954–62). He was elected Prime Minister of a provisional government shortly before the end of the war, becoming the first President of an independent Algeria the following year. As President he initiated social and economic reform and encouraged closer links with other Arab nations. Overthrown in a military coup, he was kept under house arrest until 1979 and lived in exile until 1990, when he returned to Algeria to lead the opposition to the ruling regime.