MEHEMET

AALI  , Pasha (1815-1871), Turkish statesman, was born at Constantinople in 1815, the son of a government official . Entering the diplomatic service of his country soon after reaching manhood, he became successively secretary of the Em bassy in Vienna, minister in London, and foreign minister under Reshid Pasha . In 1852 he was promoted to the post of grand vizier, but after a short time retired into private life . During the Crimean War he was recalled in order to take the portfolio of foreign affairs for a second time under Reshid Pasha,, and in this capacity took part in 1855 in the conference of Vienna . Again becoming in that year grand vizier, an office he Ailed no less than five times, he represented Turkey at the congress of Paris in '856 . In 1867 he was appointed regent of Turkey during the sultan's visit to the Paris Exhibition . Aali Pasha was one of the most zealous advocates of the introduction of Western reforms under the sultans Abdul Mejid and Abdul Aziz . A scholar and a linguist, he was a match for the diplomats of the Christian powers, against whom he successfully defended the interests of his country . He died at Erenkeni in Asia Minor on the 6th of September 1871 .