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Muhammad VIII al-Amin ( of Tunisia ( 15 May 1943 and 20 March 1956 ). He was the first head of state (as king) of independent Tunisia from 1956 until he was deposed in 1957 . He was the son of Muhammad Al-Habib , Bey of Tunis .

Muhammad became bey after the Free French Forces deposed his cousin Muhammad on the accusation that he was a Vichy collaborator. On 20 March 1956 he proclaimed the independence of Tunisia and became King of Tunisia with the style of His Majesty. A monarchy did not meet the expectations of future president Habib Bourguiba , who replaced the Royal Guard at Carthage Palace with his own loyal soldiers. By his command all the telephone lines to the palace had been cut and the king was put under House Arrest 15 July 1957, and on 25 July the Tunisian Constituent Assembly deposed the king.

Muhammad was moved to a government-watched residence at La Manouba , but was permited to return to Tunis after his wife died. He never abdicated his throne rights. He died in Tunis and was buried at the Tomb Of King Muhammad Al-Amin . Muhammad succeeded as head of the royal house, heir to the throne and titular king by his crown prince Husain Bey Husainid .