Gamal Abdel Nasser

Nasser, Gamal Abdel (1918–70), Egyptian president (1956–70) and Arab leader. He led the military coup d'état overthrowing King Farouk (1952), and named himself prime minister (1954). He ended British military presence in Egypt (1954) and nationalized the Suez Canal (1956), precipitating a brief war with Britain, France, and Israel. Elected president of Egypt unopposed (1956), he was also president of the short-lived United Arab Republic (1958–61). His “Arab socialism” policy brought new land ownership laws and agricultural policies, more schools, and the building of the Aswan Dam. He resigned after the disastrous 1967 Arab-Israeli War but resumed office by popular demand.