Salim Rubai Ali

Salim Rubai Ali (Arabic: سالم ربيع علي;[1] 17 June 1934 – 26 June 1978[2]), known by his comrades as "Salimin", was the Marxist head of state of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen) from 22 June 1969 until his execution[3] on 26 June 1978.

Salem Rubaya Ali
سالم ربيع علي
2nd President of South Yemen
In office 22 June 1969 – 26 June 1978
Preceded by	Qahtan Muhammad al-Shaabi
Succeeded by	Ali Nasir Muhammad
Personal details
Born	17 June 1934 Aden Protectorate
Died	26 June 1978 (aged 44) Aden, South Yemen
Cause of death	Firearm Attack
Nationality	South Yemeni
Political party	National Liberation Front
Occupation	Chairman of the Presidential Council
Military service
Allegiance	South Yemen South Yemen

Rubai Ali led the left wing of the National Front for the Liberation of South Yemen (NLF),[4] which forced the British to withdraw from southern Yemen on 29 November 1967. Rubai Ali's radical Marxist faction gained dominance over the more moderate President Qahtan al-Shaabi's elements, allowing Rubai Ali to seize power; he retained the title of Chairman of the Presidential Council throughout his term, even as the NF changed the name of the country from the People's Republic of South Yemen to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen in 1970.

Rubai Ali's National Front joined with other parties in 1975, creating the United Political Organisation NF (التنظيم السياسي الموحد الجبهة القومية), all rival parties were outlawed earlier. He opposed the idea of the Yemeni Socialist Party's (YSP) future creation promoted by Abdul Fattah Ismail. He appointed Muhammad Ali Haitham as his Prime Minister when he became chairman. Haitham served until August 1971, when he was replaced by Ali Nasir Muhammad. In 1978, Ali Nasir Muhammad overthrew and executed Rubai Ali.