Faisal I

Faisal I or Faysal I , 1885-1933, king of Iraq (1921-33). The third son of Husayn ibn Ali, sherif of Mecca, he is also called Faisal ibn Husayn. Faisal was educated in Constantinople and later sat in the Ottoman parliament as deputy for Jidda. In World War I he served with the Turkish army in Syria until 1916, when, escaping to Arabia, he joined with T. E. Lawrence in an Arab revolt. Faisal was disappointed in his hope to rule as king over all Arab territory in the Ottoman Empire. His aspirations were partly satisfied in 1920, when a Syrian nationalist congress proclaimed him king, but France, the mandatory power, forced him to abdicate later that year. In 1921 the British, who held the mandate of Iraq, nominated Faisal as king, and he was confirmed by a plebiscite. As king, he generally cooperated with the British and actively participated in the affairs of government, particularly in achieving Iraq's independence and membership in the League of Nations (1932). He was succeeded by his son, Ghazi.

Faisal I (or Feisal ) (1885–1933) King of Iraq (1921–33). The son of HUSSEIN IBN ALI, he commanded the northern Arab army in Jordan, Palestine, and Syria in association with T. E. LAWRENCE in the Arab Revolt of 1916–18. In 1920 Faisal was chosen King of Syria by the Syrian National Congress but was expelled by France, the mandatory power. He was then made King of Iraq by Britain, who held the mandate for that territory. As ruler of Iraq (1921–33) he demonstrated considerable political skill in building up the institutions of the new state.

Faisal I (b. 20 May 1883, d. 8 Sept. 1933). King of Iraq 1921–33 Son of Hussein ibn Ali, he took part in the Arab Revolt of 1916. He worked closely with T. E. Lawrence, and with his northern Arab army entered Damascus in September 1918. He was proclaimed King of Syria, but had to abandon his claim when at the Paris Peace Conference Syria became a French League of Nations Mandate. Forced into exile by the French, he was compensated by the British with its new Mandate of Iraq, of which he became King. He subsequently displayed considerable skill and astuteness in carefully responding to the strong Arab nationalist sentiments in his country, while maintaining a good relationship with Britain. Thus he managed to create working state institutions, promulgating a constitution in 1925. His greatest success came in 1930–2, when he gained de facto Iraqi independence and admission into the League of Nations.