Mohammed Ben Abdellah al-Qatib (c. 1710-1790) (Arabic: محمد الثالث بن عبد الله الخطيب‎) was Sultan of Morocco from 1757 to 1790 under the Alaouite dynasty and originating from the Moasmouda tribe. He was the governor of Marrakech around 1750 and was the son of Sultan Abdallah IV who reigned 1745-1757. He was also sultan briefly during 1748.

A more open-minded ruler than many of his forebears, he signed numerous peace treaties with the European powers, and curtailed the power of the Barbary corsairs. He founded the city of Essaouira and invited Jews and English to trade there. He also built the old medina of Casablanca (Derb Tazi) and renovated the kasbah of Marrakesh.

Under Mohammed III, Morocco became the first country to recognize the United States as an independent nation, in 1777. President George Washington wrote Mohammed in 1789 asking him for aid in allowing American ships to navigate nearby waters.

[edit] Other sultans named Mohammed III

Abdul Abdallah Mohammed (or Abou Fares Abdellah) was a Saadi dynasty sultan from 1603 to 1607.

[edit] See also

• Mohammed al-Duayf
• List of Kings of Morocco
• History of Morocco

[edit] References

• Morocco Alaoui dynasty
• History of Morocco