Gamal Abdel Nasser Biography and Timeline — Page 5

End of Anglo French Occupation Celebrated

Egypt marked the departure of British and French forces from Port Said as a political victory over the attempt to reverse nationalisation.

Role range: 1956-1970

Egyptian Authorities Resume City Administration

After the departure of British and French troops, Egypt restored direct civil authority over Port Said while UN personnel remained nearby.

Role range: 1956-1957

UNEF Withdrawal Supervision Expanded

As British and French forces prepared to leave, United Nations troops expanded their duties around Port Said to supervise withdrawal arrangements.

Role range: 1956-1970

French British Withdrawal Accelerates

Under United Nations pressure, Britain and France arranged an accelerated evacuation of the Port Said area while UNEF assumed local security functions.

Role range: 1956-1970

Israeli Occupation Persists in Sinai

Although British and French forces departed in December, Israeli troops still occupied Egyptian territory in Sinai; the complete withdrawal took place in 1957.

Role range: 1956-1970

Gaza Occupation Continues

Gaza remained under Israeli military occupation at the end of 1956, despite United Nations demands for withdrawal behind the established armistice lines.

Role range: 1956-1970

Canal Remains Closed After War

The canal remained closed to navigation at the end of 1956 because of sunken vessels and other obstructions; full reopening came in 1957.

Role range: 1956-1970

United Nations Clearance Assistance Discussed

Egypt and the United Nations discussed assistance to remove wrecks and obstacles from the canal while Egyptian sovereignty over the waterway remained intact.

Role range: 1956-1970

Canal Clearance Financing Negotiated

Diplomatic discussions in December addressed arrangements for financing and organising clearance of the blocked canal after the Suez fighting.

Role range: 1956-1970

Postwar Shipping Disruption Continues

The blocked canal forced international shipping to use alternative routes, prolonging the economic consequences of the conflict for Egypt and canal users.

Role range: 1956-1970

Security Council Principles Remain Reference

The six October Security Council principles continued to provide a diplomatic reference for proposed settlement of canal operating arrangements after the invasion.

Role range: 1956-1970

Egyptian Opposition to External Occupation

Egypt maintained that British and French military control of Port Said was unlawful and pressed for the withdrawal completed in December.

Role range: 1956-1970

Israeli Withdrawal Negotiations Continue

At the end of 1956 Egypt continued to demand withdrawal of Israeli forces from Sinai and Gaza, an issue not resolved until the following year.

Role range: 1956-1970

United Nations Peacekeepers Guard Installations

UNEF personnel helped protect vulnerable public installations during the transition from Anglo French occupation to Egyptian civil administration.

Role range: 1956-1970

Canal East Bank Buffer Positions Established

United Nations forces expanded their deployment east of the canal, creating separation between Egyptian and Israeli military positions.

Role range: 1956-1970

Port Said Security Handover Managed

Egyptian civilian authorities coordinated with United Nations troops as responsibility for public order shifted away from departing British and French soldiers.

Role range: 1956-1970

Canal Operation After Foreign Withdrawal

The December withdrawal of British and French forces left Egypt in control of the nationalised canal company, although wrecks still prevented ordinary navigation.

Role range: 1956-1970

High Dam Remains National Priority

Even after the war, Nasser continued to identify the High Dam as a central objective of Egyptian economic development, despite losing Western financial support.

Role range: 1956-1970

Suez Crisis Strengthens Egyptian Presidency

Nasser emerged from the Anglo French withdrawal with greater domestic political standing, although Israeli forces still occupied part of Egypt at year’s end.

Role range: 1956-1970

National Union Political Framework Planned

The 1956 constitutional framework envisaged the National Union as an officially organised vehicle for political participation instead of restoring competitive party politics.

Role range: 1956-1970

Egyptian Canal Workforce Supports Wreck Removal

Egyptian authorities worked with international salvage personnel to remove blockages that had halted traffic since the invasion.

Role range: 1956-1957

Israeli Withdrawal Improves Regional Reopening Conditions

Israel's evacuation of Egyptian territory helped reduce military tension while canal clearance operations moved toward completion.

Role range: 1956-1957

Sovereignty

Reopens the Suez Canal under Egyptian administration after wrecks from the invasion are cleared.

Role range: 1956-1958 – 1956-1970

Reopening of Suez Canal

Restores international navigation after wrecks from the Suez conflict are cleared.

Role range: 1956-1970

Suez Canal Reopens to International Shipping

Egypt resumed regular traffic through the canal after the removal of wartime obstructions and the withdrawal of invading forces.

Role range: 1956-1957

Suez Canal Reopens under Egyptian Control

The canal reopens after clearance operations, with Egypt retaining control of the waterway.

Role range: 1956-1957 – 1956-1970

Post-Suez High Dam Planning

Nasser continues High Dam planning after Egypt emerges from the Suez conflict.

Role range: 1956-1970

Postwar Financing Alternatives Pursued

The Egyptian government continued exploring ways to fund the High Dam after the Suez conflict and loss of Western support.

United Arab Republic

Agrees with Syrian leaders to unite Egypt and Syria as the United Arab Republic.

Role range: 1956-1970

UAR

Proclaims the United Arab Republic after Egypt and Syria approve their union.

Role range: 1956-1970

United Arab Republic

Proclaims the union of Egypt and Syria as the United Arab Republic.

Role range: 1958-1970

Soviet Credit Agreement

Nasser's government signs a Soviet credit agreement supporting the first construction phase.

Role range: 1956-1970

Soviet First Stage Credit Agreed

Egypt reached a credit agreement with the Soviet Union for the initial phase of High Dam construction.

Soviet Credit Revives Aswan Financing Prospects

Egypt secured a new financing route through Soviet assistance for the High Dam, replacing the failed Western funding scheme of 1956.

Role range: 1955-1958

Opposes Iraqi communist influence

Opposes Iraqi communist influence after Abd al-Karim Qasim takes power in Baghdad.

Role range: 1956-1970

President of Egypt

Becomes President of the United Arab Republic following union with Syria.

Role range: 1958-1970

UAR

Accepts Syria's proposal for immediate union with Egypt.

Role range: 1956-1970

United Arab Republic

Completes political union with Syria in the United Arab Republic.

Role range: 1956-1970

Nile Waters Agreement

Nasser's government signs the agreement allocating Nile waters and enabling reservoir construction.

Role range: 1956-1970

Nile Water Allocation Agreement Concluded

Egypt and Sudan concluded an agreement allocating Nile waters ahead of the reservoir's expansion.