Larbi Messari

Mohammed Larbi Messari (Arabic: محمد العربي المساري) (July 7, 1936 – July 25, 2015) was a Moroccan politician, diplomat, historian and member of the Istiqlal Party. He was appointed Minister of Communications from 1998 until 2000.[1] A historian and diplomat by profession, Larbi was considered an expert on Moroccan–Spanish relations.[2] He also served as Morocco's Ambassador to Brazil from 1985 until 1991.[2][3]

Messari was born in 1936 in Tétouan, Spanish Morocco, in present-day northern Morocco.[1][2] He was a historian, journalist and diplomat prior to his entry into politics.[1] From 1964 until 1985, Messari worked as a radio anchor and journalist for Morocco's National Radio Station.[1] He then joined the staff of Al-Alam, a national daily newspaper, where he rose to become editor-in-chief.[1]

A historian, Messari authored books in three languages – Arabic, Portuguese and Spanish. The topics of his writings included Morocco–Spain relations and the life of Mohammed V of Morocco.[1]

Larbi Messari died in Rabat, Morocco, on July 25, 2015, at the age of 79.[1][3]