Hashim Yashir

Hashim Yashir was the president of Libya from 1922 until his assassination in 1952 by the French Revolutionary Communist, Lephille Hakash.

Hashim Yashir was born in 1895 in the city of Yafran, Libya, thirty miles south of the costal capital Tripoli. Hashim Yashir fought in World War One, eventually earning himself the African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal for his service in the Military. Hashim Yashir entered politics in 1921 as he became a member of the Democratic Libyan Peoples Party (DLPP) and eventually made his way to the title of party leader after the death by unknown causes of the previous leader Mahat Mishirt. In 1922 he won in a land slide ballot and one week later was sworn in as the official President of Libya. At this time, Libya was just beginning to gain her independence from France. Libya was no longer a colony, but a free independent nation and the transfer of sovereign powers had just taken place, in compliance with the treaty of Versailles with concluded WW1.Hashim Yashir was especially known for his friendly US-Libyan relations, which in many ways lead to his eventual assassination. During his 30 years in office, the US influenced many Military, Technologic and Social aspects of Libya.

Short timeline of US Influence and Political gains in Libya during Yashir’s 30 years in Office

1922-Libya allows United States Army to set up a Military training base in the capital of Tripoli in exchange for 1000 tones of new age farming equipment that would eventually help jump start Libya’s economy.

1924-Libya allows United States Navy to build a naval base in Al Kuhms, a city on the Mediterranean 30miles east of Tripoli. Due to environmental activists’ protesting the building of the Naval base, which destroyed a total of 24 acres of Mediterranean jungle (the only habitat for the endangered species of giraffe), the navy moved their base further inland, remaining connected to the Mediterranean through a series of canals.

1931-Hashim Yashir joins OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) on behalf of Libya on a US invitation.

1934-Libya (on a special UN exception) joins NATO

1939-US Navy stations 6 aircraft carries off the coast of Libya in response to student activists protesting US influence in Libya.

1940-US gives Libya 330million dollars to modernize their Army and Navy.

1944-Libya joins war after American persuasion and fights with allies. Libya sends 3 armies to Normandy to aid in Operation Overlord, and 16 tank divisions to aid the allies in capturing Germany from Nazi rule.

1945-War ends and Libya is given a secondary seat at the Potsdam conference, which was attended by world powers such as Russian, Great Britain and the United States. WW2 ends.

1947-Libya is granted permission to build a US embassy in Tripoli.