The Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations His Excellency Mr Mourad BENMEHIDI presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General BAN Ki-Moon on August 25th, 2008.

Prior to his appointment, Mr Benmehidi was ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations since 2003.

From 2004 to 2005, he was ambassador and deputy Representative of Algeria to the UN Security Council. From 2001 to 2003 he was Minister-counsellor at the Permanent Mission in New York and deputy head of Mission.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 1997 to 2001, Mr Benmehidi was Deputy Director for Northern Europe and, from 1995 to 1996, acting Deputy Director for Eastern Asia From 1988 to 1991 he was in charge of Human Rights at the Department of political affairs and, from 1982 to 1986, he was in Charge of South/ South cooperation and inter-regional conferences at the Department of International Organizations.

Mr. Benmehidi served as Consellor at Algeria's Embassy in Bonn, Germany, from 1991 to 1995 and as Secretary at the Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 1986 to 1988.

Proficient in Arabic, French and English, Mr Benmehidi received his law degree from the University of Algiers in 1976.

Born on February 1st, 1953 in Annaba, Algeria, he is married with three children.