Muhammad VIII al-Amin

Muhammad VIII
King of Tunisia
Reign	15 May 1943 - 25 July 1957
Full name	Muhammad al-Amin
Name in Arabic	الأمين باي بن محمد الحبيب
Born	September 4, 1881(1881-09-04)
Died	September 30, 1962(1962-09-30) (aged 81)
Place of death	Tunis, Tunis Governorate Tunisia
Predecessor	Muhammad VII
Successor	Husain Bey as Pretender 30 September 1962
Dynasty	Husainid Dynasty
Father	Muhammad VI al-Habib
Religious beliefs	Islam

Muhammad VIII al-Amin (4 September 1881 – 30 September 1962) (Arabic: الأمين باي بن محمد الحبيب‎, al-ʾAmīn Bāy bin Muḥammad al-Ḥabīb) was the last bey of Tunisia (15 May 1943 and 20 March 1956). He was the first head of state (as king or bey) of independent Tunisia from 1956 until he was deposed in 1957. He was the son of Muhammad VI al-Habib, bey of Tunis.

Muhammad became bey after the Free French Forces deposed his cousin Muhammad VII al-Munsif on the accusation that he was a Vichy collaborator. On 20 March 1956 he proclaimed the independence of Tunisia and became King of Tunisia with the style of His Majesty. A monarchy did not meet the expectations of future president Habib Bourguiba, who replaced the Royal Guard at Carthage Palace with his own loyal soldiers. By his command all the telephone lines to the palace were cut and the king put under house arrest 15 July 1957, and on 25 July the Tunisian Constituent Assembly deposed the king.

Muhammad was moved to a government-watched residence at La Manouba, but was permitted to return to Tunis after his wife died. He never abdicated his throne rights. He died in Tunis and was buried at the Tomb of King Muhammad al-Amin. Muhammad was succeeded as head of the Husainid Dynasty and heir to the throne and titular king by Husain Bey.

Bibliography

• Martin Meredith. The State of Africa. — Free Press (London), 2005. — ISBN 978-0-7432-3222-7

Preceded by Muhammad VII al-Munsif	Bey of Tunis 1943–1956	Succeeded by changed to King
Preceded by changed from Bey	King of Tunisia 1956–1957	Succeeded by Post abolished

Persondata
Name	Muhammad 08 Al-Amin
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	4 September 1881
Place of birth
Date of death	30 September 1962
Place of death	Tunis, Tunis Governorate Tunisia