Former North Yemen president Al-Arashi dies [Archives:2006/954/Front Page]

SANA'A, June 11 ) Yemeni official media announced yesterday that former North Yemen President Qadi Abdul Karim Abdullah Al-Arashi, 72, died in Saudi Arabia. His funeral was believed to have been held this morning in Sana'a, where he will be buried.

A statement by the president's office noted that Al-Arashi played an important role in the 1962 Yemeni revolution and in defending its goals. “Throughout the various positions he held, he proved to be steadfast and highly competent,” the statement indicated.

Born in 1934 in Sana'a city, Al-Arashi held numerous prominent positions. He was appointed chairman of the Presidential Council of the former Arab Republic of Yemen from June 24 to July 18, 1978 following President Ahmed Al-Ghashmi's assassination. Shortly thereafter, he was elected chairman of the People's Council (Parliament) as well as vice president in the same year.

Al-Arashi received his basic education in Sana'a and completed his studies at the Scientific School. He then embarked upon judiciary and administrative work while he was young. After the September 26 revolution, he became more prominent at the political level, as he participated in various military campaigns in defense of the revolution.

Al-Arashi occupied various government posts, being appointed Minister of Finance twice, during which he established the state's first budget. He also was appointed Minister of Local Administration whereupon he reformulated the Local Governance Law.

In 1988, Al-Arashi unanimously was elected Shoura Council president. Two years later, namely on the occasion of reunification, he was elected a member of the Presidential Council. In 1997, he was appointed a consultant to the president.
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