Jamil al-Midfai

Jamil al-Midfai (1890-1958) was an Iraqi politician who served as that country's prime minister on five separate occasions:

1. November 9, 1933 - August 25, 1934
2. March 1, 1935 - March 16, 1935
3. Ausust 17, 1937 - December 26, 1938
4. June 2, 1941 - October 10, 1941
5. January 29, 1953 - September 1, 1953

Born in the town of Mosul, Midfai served in the Ottoman army during World War I, but deserted in 1916 to take part in the Arab nationalist revolt. After the war, he was an aide to the Emir Faisal during his brief reign in Syria. He returned to Iraq in 1920, but was soon forced into exile in Jordan because of his anti-United Kingdom nationalist activities. Upon his return in 1923, he served in various senior provincial capacities, finally joining the cabinet in 1930.

As a seasoned politician and two-time prime minister, he was asked to form a new government in August, 1937, following the assassination of General Bakr Sidqi, who had ruled the country as military dictator for almost a year. A staunch monarchist, Midfai was again forced into exile in Transjordan following the short-lived pro-Axis coup by Rashid Ali al-Kaylani in 1941. Upon his return, he served in various senior capacities including President of the Senate and briefly as prime minister. He died in office while serving as President of the Senate.