Abdul Salam Arif

Abdul Salam Arif (1921, Baghdad - April 13, 1966), president of Iraq (1963-1966). On February 8, 1963, he played a leading role in the coup in which the government of Abdul Karim Qassim was overthrown. He became provisional president and was confirmed on November 20, 1963. He at first supported the Ba'ath Party, but withdrew from it following an anti-Ba'ath coup later in 1963. He was killed in a helicopter crash in southern Iraq and his brother Abdul Rahman Arif replaced him.

On the 18th of December 2004, his daughter and wife were killed by unknown assailants.

Abdul Salam Arif was a grand nephew of king Faisal I of Iraq.