Office of the Historian

773.13/2–1654: Telegram

The Consul at Benghazi (Summers) to the Department of State1

confidential priority
Benghazi, February 16, 1954—2 p.m.

35. At short session Chamber of Deputies last night, attended by only little over 30 Deputies and group of spectators, the Chamber was informed of the acceptance of Muntasser’s resignation by King. Muntasser, who was there with his entire Cabinet, made short statement expressing his appreciation of having had opportunity to serve at beginning of Libya’s independence and praising King. The President of the Chamber replied in kind and the meeting adjourned. Saqezli was not present possibly because notice of his appointment had not been made public, though it was general knowledge. It has now been published.2

Speculation is rife as to composition of new Cabinet. Ben Halim, Nazir Public Works, has stated he would be Minister Communications and there are indications Aneizi will stay as Minister of Finance. Shaaban and Naama may also stay in Cabinet, although not necessarily in post they now occupy because of their tribal connections. There is, however, no definite information as yet.

There is also speculation as to reasons for change. It was known that Cabinet changes were impending and that Muntasser was not happy, but Saqezli had not been mentioned as his sucessor. The change took virtually every one by complete surprise.

Saqezli visited Tripoli over weekend, unverified story being that he went to see Wali who agreed to dissolution Parliament in event of objections to change. Judging, however, from yesterday’s session, no real possibility strong objections, although it is understood some Tripolitanian members are not happy.3

Summers
  1. This telegram was repeated to Tripoli.↩
  2. Telegram 36 from Benghazi, Feb. 16, reported the King was making every effort to reduce the position of Tripolitania, and the new Cabinet had four Cyrenaicans to three Tripolitanians. Telegram 37 from Benghazi, Feb. 18, sent a “list of the new Cabinet members. Documentation on this topic is in Department of State file 773.13.↩
  3. Telegram 275 from Tripoli, Feb. 24, reported that Tripolitanians were dismayed at the replacement of Muntasser by Saqezli, considering it a deliberate plan to concentrate federal power in the hands of Cyrenaicans. (773.00/2–2454)↩