Haj Mohamed Zebdi was a Moroccan diplomat.[1]

Biography

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In 1876, Moulay Hassan I appointed Haj Mohamed Zebdi, a former Prefect of Rabat, as Morocco's European ambassador.[2] Zebdi had previously served under Moulay Abdrahmane bin Hisham and held various roles during the Spanish-Moroccan War. His diplomatic mission traversed Italy, France, Belgium, England, with France being the initial and most significant stop due to its potential threat to Morocco.[2][3]

Zebdi, leading the Moroccan delegation, was welcomed at the Élysée Palace, where he addressed French President Patrice de MacMahon on behalf of the Alaouite Sultan.[2] The French government facilitated Zebdi's travel to Great Britain with a special ship.[2] In London, Zebdi met Queen Victoria and explored ways to safeguard English merchants in Morocco.[2]

After returning briefly to France, Zebdi moved to Italy, meeting King Victor Emmanuel III in Turin on August 22.[2] The ambassador returned to Tangier later that year.[2] He contributed to the 1880 Madrid Agreement, which recognized Morocco as an independent state.[2]

References

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  1. ^ France (1876). Journal officiel de la République française.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Mohamed Zebdi, Sultan Hassan I's ambassador to the European powers". Yabiladi.
  3. ^ https://habous.gov.ma/daouat-alhaq/item/926

Further reading

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  • Srhir, Khalid Ben (2005). Britain and Morocco During the Embassy of John Drummond Hay, 1845-1886