Slim Riahi

Slim Riahi
سليم الرياحي
Personal details
Born (1972-07-13) 13 July 1972
Bizerte, Tunisia
Nationality Tunisian
Political party Free Patriotic Union
Spouse(s) Sabah Aloui
Alma mater University of Tripoli

Slim Riahi (Arabic: سليم الرياحي‎‎; born 1972) is a Tunisian businessman and politician. He is the founder and leader of the Free Patriotic Union (UPL).[1]

Biography

Slim Riahi was born on 13 July 1972 in Bizerte, Tunisia. In 1980, his family went into exile in Libya, as his father was an Arab nationalist opposed to President Habib Bourguiba, as well as to his successor Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Slim Riahi grew up in Libya. He studied management at the Al Fateh University in Tripoli.[2] Then, he engaged in the oil production, energy, aviation and property development industries, which acquired him great wealth, worth billions.[3] Later, he moved to London, and holds dual British and Tunisian citizenship.[2]

Returning to Tunisia after the Tunisian revolution in January 2011, he founded a political party, the Free Patriotic Union (UPL), which promotes an economically liberal and modernist program and positions itself at the centre of the political spectrum.[4] The party run into controversy for mingling political and business interests, extensive campaigning and unclear financial resources.[2][5] In August 2011, Riahi announced that he was planning to enter into Tunisia's media business with acquiring a 20-percent stake of the newspaper publisher Dar Assabah.[5] He also established three TV stations, namely Ettounsiya Al-Oula, Ettounsiya Sport and Ettounsiya News.[1]

He advertised to become the president of Club Africain on 6 June 2012, he tried to acquire many clubs but only Club Africain accepted his offer.[6] He was officially confirmed as the new president of Club Africain on 16 June 2012.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Afef Abrougui (19 April 2014). "Tunisian media in flux since revolution". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Yasmine Ryan (21 October 2011), "Tunisian newcomer spends big on campaign", Al Jazeera, retrieved 23 October 2011
  3. ↑ Radhouane Somai (22 August 2011), "Tunisie - Qui est Slim Riahi et que pèse-t-il sur l'échiquier politique", Business News (in French), retrieved 23 October 2011
  4. ↑ Sam Bollier (9 October 2011), "Who are Tunisia's political parties?", Al Jazeera, retrieved 22 October 2011
  5. 1 2 Eileen Byrne (27 September 2011), "Tunisia party runs into controversy", Financial Times, retrieved 23 October 2011
  6. 1 2 Lassouad, Amine (6 June 2012), Slim Riahi au parc A et à Bab Jedid, Kawarji, retrieved 6 June 2012
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