Muhammad Mahdi al-Salih

Mahdi, Muhammad
Minister of Trade
In office
1987–2003
President Saddam Hussein
Preceded by Hassan Ali[1][2]
Chief of the Presidential Office
In office
~1980s – 1987
President Saddam Hussein
Personal details
Born 1949
Al-Anbar Governorate
Nationality Iraqi
Political party Iraqi Ba'ath Party
Occupation Politician

Mohammad Mahdi al Salih is an Iraqi politician who was Trade Minister in the government of President Saddam Hussein.[3]

Pre-War Career

Salih was born between 1947 and 1949 in Al Anbar Governorate in western Iraq.[4] He was the Chief of Saddam Hussein's Presidential Office in the mid-1980s and then became Minister of Trade from 1987 until the downfall of Hussein.[4] In October 1995, the United States listed al Salih as a Designated Individual under their programme of sanctions against Iraq.[5]

2003 Iraq War

Following the United States-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the United States distributed a set of playing cards listing the "most wanted" members which included al-Saleh as the "six of hearts".[3] His assets were frozen under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 as a former official.[4] He was taken into custody by the US on 23 April 2003.[6] He was held by the US military at Camp Cropper, a base just outside Baghdad.[7] In July 2010, seven years after his capture, he was handed over to the custody of the Iraq government.[8]

In 2011 he was found innocent of charges against him and in March 2012 he was released by the Iraqi authorities and immediately left the country.[3]

Post-War

Following the 2013 Al Anbar governorate election, Salih was rumoured to be a candidate supported by the Uniters List for the position of Governor of Anbar.[9][10] The Uniters List later denied the rumours.[11]

References

  1. ↑ The USSR and Iraq: The Soviet Quest for Influence. p. 256.
  2. ↑ http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1986/dec/19/iraq-1
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Iraq frees Saddam-era trade minister". Gulf News. 18 March 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Council Regulation (EC) No 1210/2003". European Council of Ministers. 7 July 2003. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  5. ↑ "OFAC listing" (FTP). Office of Foreign Assets Control. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  6. ↑ "US snares more ex-Saddam associates". The Age. 24 April 2003. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  7. ↑ Hans von Sponeck (UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq) (9 May 2009). "Appeal for the release of Tariq Aziz". Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  8. ↑ "US hands over Tariq Aziz, other detainees to Iraqi govt". Arab News. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  9. ↑ "Uniters candidate Muhammad Mahdi al-Salih, Minister of Commerce under the Saddam Regime, for the position of Governor of Anbar". Nakhel News. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  10. ↑ Amjad Salah, Ammar al-Ani (19 July 2013). "Nomination of former regime Minister of Commerce for post of Governor of Anbar Province". Al Sumaria. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  11. ↑ Ahmed Hussein (20 July 2013). "Motahidon denies nominating Salih for Anbar Governor Post". Retrieved 31 August 2013.