Hassan II (1929-1999)

King of Morocco 1961-99. He succeeded the throne upon the death of his father Mohamed V. Following riots in Casablanca in 1965, he established a royal dictatorship and survived two coup attempts. The occupation of the former Spanish Western Sahara in 1976 enabled him to rally strong popular support and consolidate his power. He returned to constitutional government in 1984, with a civilian prime minister leading a government of national unity. He was succeeded by his 35-year-old son Muhammad.

It was not until February 1998 that the opposition accepted and participated in the formation of an elected government that was still controlled by the monarchy. In the late 1990s the king's poor health led to a debate about the succession and the likely survival of the monarchical system in Morocco.