Abbas, Ferhat (1899-1985), Algerian leader in the struggle for independence, born in Taher, and educated as a pharmacist. A political moderate disillusioned with French policy, he advocated Algerian self-determination and independence and was intermittently jailed for his political activities. In 1956 he joined the Cairo-based National Liberation Front (NLF), then

waging a war of independence against the French, and from 1958 to 1961 he headed its government in exile. After independ- ence (1962), Abbas soon quarreled with the more radical NLF leadership and was put under house arrest (1964-65). He then retired from public life.