Muhammad VII al-Munsif

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Muhammad VII al-Munsif (4 March 1881 - 1 September 1948) (Arabic: محمد المنصف باي) was the ruler of Tunisia between 19 June 1942 and 14 May 1943.

He was born in La Manouba the son of Muhammad V an-Nasir. He was appointed heir apparent to the Beylik of Tunis with the title of Bey al-Mahalla on April 30, 1942.

Muhammad became bey of Tunis on the death of his cousin Ahmad II ibn Ali. In 1942 he attempted to free Tunis from French control and establish an independent government. The Free French Forces deposed Muhammad on May 14, 1943, on the accusation that he was a Vichy collaborator and he was succeeded by his cousin Muhammad VIII al-Amin. He formally abdicated on July 6, 1943.

After his deposition, Muhammad was exiled firstly to Laghouat in southern Algeria, then to Ténès, before finally moving in 1945 to Pau in France, where he died in 1948.

[edit] Marriages and children

Muhammad VII was married four times, his first wife was a cousin Princess Traki (died 1919) who he married in October, 1900 at Sidi Bou Said. Princess Traki was the mother of his four children.

Prince Salah ud-din Bey (1902-1938)
Prince Muhammad ar-Rauf Bey (1903-1977)
Prince 'Umar Bey (1904-1938)
Princess Farida (born 1911)

Muhammad VII was married a further three times firstly to Lalla Zubaida, this marriage ended in divorce. His third wife was another cousin Princess Habiba (1888-1969) this marriage also ended in divorce in 1942. His fourth wife was Lalla Arbiya (died 1974) who he married in August, 1942. His fourth wife Arbiya accompanied him into exile.