Belafrej, Ahmed (1908–1990)
Moroccan nationalist and politician, prime minister in 1958. Minister in charge of
foreign affairs 1955–58, he became prime minister May–December 1958; his
government was brought down because of pressures from progressive factions of his
party and the spreading countryside revolts.
A founding member of the Parti de l'Istiqlal in 1944, Balafrej was the second most
prominent figure of the Moroccan nationalist movement after Allal al-Fassi. He
authored with early nationalist leaders what was the first manifesto calling for the
independence of Morocco and the end of the protectorate. His political career ended
in 1972 after he served as the king's personal representative 1963–72.
Belaid, Abdessalem (1928– )
Algerian politician, prime minister 1992–93. Appointed minister of industry and
energy 1966–77, he opposed the self-management system and almost single-
handedly chose and carried out a state-centralized programme of industrialization.
Removed in 1984 after being in charge of the ministry of light industry since 1977, he
returned eight years later to assume the premiership 1992–93. His handling of the
economic situation, and particularly his attempt to reverse the process of economic
liberalization, faced fierce opposition leading to his dismissal.
He was a political adviser to the Gouvernement Provisoire de la République
Algérienne (GPRA) in 1961 and president director-general of the state-owned oil
company Sonatrach 1964–66.
Belaúnde Terry, Fernando (1913–2002)
Peruvian politician and president 1963–68 and 1980–85. He championed land reform
and the construction of roads to open up the Amazon valley. He fled to the USA in
1968 after being deposed by a military junta. After his return, his second term in
office was marked by rampant inflation, a devaluation of the currency in 1967,
enormous foreign debts, terrorism, mass killings, and human-rights violations by the
armed forces.
Belkacem, Krim (1922–1970)
Algerian nationalist and politician. He was vice-president of the Gouvernement
Provisoire de la République Algérienne (GPRA) until independence. He participated
as a member of the delegation that negotiated with the French administration the
Evian accords on the independence of Algeria. His opposition to Mohammed Ben
Bella's regime led to his exile, where he formed an opposition party, the Mouvement
Démocratique du Renouveau Algérien (MDRA) in Paris in 1967.