Muhammad VIII al-Amin
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Muhammad VIII al-Amin (4 September 1881 - 30 September 1962) (Arabic: الأمين باي بن محمد الحبيب) was the last bey of Tunisia (15 May 1943 and 20 March 1956). He was the first head of state (as king or bey) of independent Tunisia from 1956 until he was deposed in 1957. He was the son of Muhammad al-Habib, bey of Tunis.
Muhammad became bey after the Free French Forces deposed his cousin Muhammad on the accusation that he was a Vichy collaborator. On 20 March 1956 he proclaimed the independence of Tunisia and became Bey of Tunisia with the style of His Majesty. A monarchy did not meet the expectations of future president Habib Bourguiba, who replaced the Royal Guard at Carthage Palace with his own loyal soldiers. By his command all the telephone lines to the palace were cut and the king put under house arrest 15 July 1957, and on 25 July the Tunisian Constituent Assembly deposed the king.
Muhammad was moved to a government-watched residence at La Manouba, but was permitted to return to Tunis after his wife died. He never abdicated his throne rights. He died in Tunis and was buried at the Tomb of King Muhammad al-Amin. Muhammad succeeded as head of the royal house, heir to the throne and titular king Husain Bey.
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| Preceded by Muhammad VII al-Munsif |
Bey of Tunis 1943–1956 |
Succeeded by changed to King |
| Preceded by changed from Bey |
King of Tunisia 1956–1957 |
Succeeded by Habib Bourguiba (as president) |
