Muhammad Najib Ar-Ruba'i (also spelled Al-Rubai) (1904-1983?) was the first President of Iraq

President of Iraq

The President of Iraq is the head of state of Iraq and "safeguards the commitment to the Constitution and the preservation of Iraq's independence, sovereignty, unity, the security of its territories in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution." The President is elected by the Council of...

 (Chairman of Sovereignty Council) from July 14, 1958 to February 8, 1963.

Together with Abdul Karim Qassim

Abdul Karim Qassim

Abd al-Karim Qasim , was a nationalist Iraqi Army general who seized power in a 1958 coup d'état, wherein the Iraqi monarchy was eliminated. He ruled the country as Prime Minister of Iraq until his downfall and death in 1963....

, he was one of the leaders of the coup that toppled King Faisal II in 1958.

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

Sovereignty Council (Iraq)

The Sovereignty Council was the body that ruled Iraq 1958 - 1963. Its chairman Muhammad Najib ar-Ruba'i was also the head of state.The Sovereignty Council had a representative from each of Iraqs three main communal/ethnic groups....

 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 1983.

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