Akram Ojjeh

Akram Ojjeh
Born Akram Ojjeh
1923
Died 1991 (age 68)
Nationality Saudi Arabian
Occupation Businessman
Religion Islam
Spouse(s) Nahed Tlass
Children Mansour
Aziz
Karim
Akram Junior

Akram Ojjeh (1923–1991) was a Syria-born Saudi businessman. Ojjeh founded Techniques d'Avant Garde, an investment company focused on advanced technologies.[1] Ojjeh was an intermediary in deals between Saudi Arabia and France, particularly arms sales.[2] Ojjeh brokered the sale of tanks, aircraft, Thomson electronic equipment to Saudi Arabia and large French purchases of oil. The Economist said "Mr Ojjeh [became], in effect, the representative of the Saudi defence ministry in the French-speaking world."[3]

Ojjeh was involved in the marketing of the French Mirage 2000 fighter jet to Saudi Arabia in competition with the British Tornado. Adnan Khashoggi said in 1994 that Ojjeh was persuaded by the British sales team to "drop his role as 'fixer' for the French."[4] British Aerospace went on to win what became the Al-Yamamah arms deal.

SS France liner

Akram Ojjeh purchased the ocean liner SS France in October 24, 1977 for 80 million francs. On June 25, 1979 he sold it to Knut Kloster, the owner of Norwegian Caribbean Line, for 77 million francs.

Personal life

Ojjeh was married four times. He was firstly married to a French woman with whom he had five children including Mansour and Aziz.[5][6] He later married to Nahed Tlass (born 1958) who is daughter of former Syria Defense Minister Mustafa Tlass.[7]

See also

Place des États-Unis

References

  1. ↑ "The McLaren Group". www.mclaren.com. McLaren Group. 2007. Archived from the original on 16 April 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2007.
  2. ↑ "Death of wealthy Saudi businessman". Agence France Presse. 28 October 1991.
  3. ↑ "French shipyard; Le de'fi Saudien". The Economist Newspaper. 20 May 1978. p. 95.
  4. ↑ Colvin, Marie (16 October 1994). "Chasing the truth with AK the arms dealer". Sunday Times. Times Newspapers.
  5. ↑ "Mansour Ojjeh". F1 News. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  6. ↑ Padfield, R. Randall (19 May 2012). "EBACE 2011: TAG Aviation Focusing on Growth in Europe and Asia". AIN. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "Defection of Syrian general 'significant': US". AFP. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
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