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Mbarek Bekkay Lahbil (; April 18, 1907 – April 12, 1961) was the first Prime Minister of Morocco between December 7, 1955, and April 15, 1958. Bekkay held the rank of colonel in the French army. He was the first Prime Minister of Morocco since its independence from the French and Spanish Protectorates.
He attended the Military School of Dar El Beida, the present military academy of Meknes, from which he went out to lieutenant and joined the French army. He served excellently in World War II and rose to lieutenant colonel rank.
In 1942, he became Qaid in Bni Drar. He was retired as 90% war invalid and was appointed captain in 1943. He became Pasha of Sefrou in 1944. He left active service in the French army in 1946 and was promoted to reserve lieutenant colonel in 1953.
He was one of the few pashas to protest in 1953 against the deposition of Sultan Mohammed V, resigning from his post at Sefrou. He writes this telegram:
"Not approving the coup de force which provoked the deposition of HM the Sultan of Morocco, and which I consider illegal on all counts, I have decided to resign from my duties as Pasha of Sefrou in order to be faithful in my soul and conscience. I cannot, in fact, serve a regime which I hold to be illegal. »
He had the honor to sign the act of independence of Morocco on March 2, 1956, with Christian Pineau representing France, and April 7 with Martin Artajo representing Spain.
He resigned as Prime Minister during the May 1958 crisis, which was created by the refusal to allow the People's Movement Party.
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