Akef al-Fayez dies at 76

The chief of a major Jordanian tribe, Akef al-Fayez, died on Thursday following a heart attack, ten days after he was admitted to hospital in coma. Akef succeeded his father, Mithkal -- who fought with Lawrence of Arabia in 1918 -- in leading the 15,000 members of the Bani Saqr tribe.

Later on he became very close to King Hussein and between the 1950s and his death he held some 12 ministerial posts including the Ministry of Defense.

He was a member of the Jordanian Upper House, whose 40 members are appointed by the Jordanian king. He also assumed the presidency of the Jordanian parliament for 8 terms of office during the 1970s and the 1980s.

Al-Fayez is survived by three wives and 11 children.