Chemical Engineer, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques, Nancy, France; diploma in Economics; PhD in Physics, University of Nancy. Formerly: Senior Lecturer, then a Professor of Chemical Engineering, National Polytechnic School, Director, Chemistry Institute; Adviser on petroleum affairs, Ministry of Industry and Energy. 1970s, Marketing Vice-President, Sonatrach; 1985, Chief Executive Officer, Sonatrach; 1996, Chief of Staff to then-Algerian President, Liamine Zéroual; 1997, Algerian Minister for Oil and Energy; 1999, President, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC); 1997, Member of the People's National Assembly of Algeria; 1999, Foreign Minister; 2000, Minister-Delegate to then-Prime Minister of Algeria, Ali Benflis; 2001-06, Ambassador of Algeria to Canada; 2006-08. Ambassador to UN; 2008-10, Ambassador of Algeria to Tunisia; since 2010, current position.