Ben Shakir, Zayd (Zeid Ben Shaker, 1934–)
BEN SHAKIR, ZAYD (Zeid Ben Shaker, 1934–)
Jordanian military figure, related to a cousin of King Abdullah of Jordan. With degrees from Sandhurst Military Academy (England) and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Zayd Ben Shakir was named commander of the Jordanian Sixth Armored Brigade (1966). He participated in the Arab-Israel War of 1967 and a year later in the battle of al-Karameh, where he helped the Fedayeen against the Israelis. He was called back to Jordan from London by King Hussein in the autumn of 1968 to help the government deal with the deteriorating situation inside the kingdom. In September 1970, he directed operations against Palestinian groups who were trying to take power (Black September). In 1972, he was named army chief of staff, then in 1976 commander-in-chief of the Jordanian armed forces. Promoted to marshal in 1987, he resigned from the army and, the following year, became head of the royal house and counselor for military affairs to King Hussein. In 1989, he was named prime minister and defense minister. During his mandate, legislative elections took place in Jordan for the first time in twenty-two years. He resigned his post in 1990 but assumed it again in November 1991, remaining prime minister until May 1993. On 5 January 1995, he was named head of the Jordanian government for the third time before being replaced by Abdul Karim Kabariti in February 1996.
SEE ALSO Abdullah II ibn Hussein;Arab-Israel War (1967);Black September 1970.