Politician and soldier and a confidant to Jordan's kings who steered his country through battles and confrontations. Prince Zeid, a former Jordanian Prime Minister was a veteran of the 1967 war against Israel and was a stalwart of the Hashemite royal family's rule in Jordan. He was twice head of the royal court, prime minister in 1989, 1991-93 and 1995-96 and for 12 years commander-in-chief of the kingdom's armed forces. After taking office in 1989, Zeid oversaw the restoration of Jordan's multiparty system, which was abolished in 1957 and was awarded the title of emir for his public service. Prince Zeid with his influence alleviated economic distress in Gaza in the 1970s and 1980s. He played a key role in shaping the political and cultural identity of modern Jordan, his relationship with the royal family extending into the next generation with his support for Hussein's son, Abdullah, who ascended the throne in February 1999. Zeid Bin Shaker was a soft-spoken and trusty bulwark died of a heart attack in Amman.