December 16th, 1955
Egypt Pursues Western Support for Aswan Dam
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser sought external loans and grants for the planned High Dam, a centerpiece of Egyptian irrigation and development policy.
World History Database / Suez War / Those involved
Gamal Abdel Nasser
Egypt
President of Egypt
94 archival records
February 10th, 1956
Egypt Weighs Development Against Financing Conditions
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser faced difficult choices over the terms required by prospective Western lenders and Egypt's desire for economic autonomy.
April 1st, 1956
Cairo Continues Aswan Funding Negotiations
Cairo
Egyptian officials pursued international financing of the High Dam while asserting that the project was vital to national development.
May 15th, 1956
Egypt Seeks Assurances of Project Sovereignty
Cairo
Nasser's administration viewed control of Aswan financing as part of its wider effort to secure independent Egyptian development choices.
July 10th, 1956
Egypt Awaits Final Western Financing Decision
Cairo
Egypt still sought the promised funding framework while diplomatic relations with major Western governments worsened.
July 19th, 1956
Aswan Financing Dispute Precedes Canal Decision
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government faced the withdrawal of Western support for the Aswan High Dam, a development that shaped the political setting of canal nationalization.
July 20th, 1956
Nasser Confronts Sudden Funding Gap
Cairo
The withdrawal of Western support left the Egyptian president needing an alternative means of financing his major development project.
July 23rd, 1956
Egyptian Leadership Considers Canal Revenue Alternative
Cairo
Egypt's government looked to the revenue of the Suez Canal Company as a possible source of funding after the collapse of Western dam assistance.
July 26th, 1956
Alexandria Speech Announces Egyptian Canal Ownership
Alexandria
Gamal Abdel Nasser announced during a public speech in Alexandria that the Suez Canal Company would be nationalized by presidential decree.
July 26th, 1956
Canal Employees Ordered to Remain at Work
Suez Canal
Gamal Abdel Nasser's nationalization decree required company employees to continue their duties unless authorized to leave by the new administration.
July 26th, 1956
Canal Nationalization Triggers International Conference Planning
Alexandria
Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal Company, prompting Britain and France to seek talks with other canal users.
July 26th, 1956
Canal Revenue Linked to Aswan Dam Funding
Alexandria
Gamal Abdel Nasser presented canal receipts as a potential source of financing for the Aswan High Dam after outside backing collapsed.
July 26th, 1956
Company Funds Subjected to State Controls
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser's decree restricted dealings in company funds and assets while the government established control over its property.
July 26th, 1956
Egypt Establishes Autonomous Canal Management Authority
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser's decree provided for an independent Egyptian agency attached to the Ministry of Commerce to run the canal.
July 26th, 1956
Existing Canal Company Governing Bodies Dissolved
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser dissolved the company's previous governing organizations as Egypt asserted direct authority over the waterway's administration.
July 26th, 1956
Nasser Announces Nationalization of Canal Company
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal Company and linked expected revenues to the financing of the Aswan High Dam.
July 26th, 1956
Nationalization Leaves Canal Open Under Egyptian Management
Suez Canal
Gamal Abdel Nasser transferred ownership of the canal company to Egypt but initially continued allowing ships to pass through the waterway.
July 26th, 1956
Presidential Decree Transfers Company Assets to State
Alexandria
Gamal Abdel Nasser's decree transferred the Suez Canal Company's assets, rights, and obligations into Egyptian state ownership.
July 26th, 1956
Shareholders Promised Paris Market Valuation
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser specified compensation for shareholders using the previous day's Paris stock market quotations as the valuation basis.
July 27th, 1956
Egyptian Authorities Continue Canal Operations
Suez Canal
Gamal Abdel Nasser's new administration sought to keep vessels moving through the canal after the takeover to demonstrate operational continuity.
July 29th, 1956
Egypt Defends Nationalization as Sovereign Act
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser defended the takeover as an exercise of Egyptian sovereignty rather than a decision to close international navigation.
August 2nd, 1956
Egypt Asserts Responsibility for Canal Navigation
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser's administration maintained that Egypt could manage canal traffic while respecting the international waterway's established obligations.
August 5th, 1956
Egyptian Canal Administration Faces Staffing Challenge
Suez Canal
Gamal Abdel Nasser's canal authority had to retain skilled personnel and maintain safe transit as the ownership dispute intensified.
August 8th, 1956
Egypt Rejects Loss of Sovereign Canal Authority
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser opposed proposals that would transfer effective control of the canal from the Egyptian government to an outside body.
August 16th, 1956
Dam Funding Becomes Symbol of Egyptian Independence
Cairo
Nasser portrayed the ability to finance the High Dam without Western conditions as part of Egypt's struggle for economic sovereignty.
August 28th, 1956
Nasser Agrees to Receive Conference Committee
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser agreed to receive the five-nation delegation, allowing direct discussion of the proposal endorsed at London.
September 1st, 1956
Egypt Maintains Control Despite International Pressure
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser continued to insist that canal nationalization was irreversible while foreign governments debated alternative arrangements.
September 3rd, 1956
Nasser Receives International Canal Delegation
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser received the committee chaired by Robert Menzies and heard the proposal supported by eighteen London Conference governments.
September 7th, 1956
Egypt Refuses Proposed International Operating Board
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser resisted an arrangement that would transfer effective operational authority over the canal to an international body.
September 9th, 1956
Egypt Declines London Majority Canal Plan
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser rejected the proposal advanced by the five-nation committee because it would compromise Egypt's control of the canal.
September 15th, 1956
Egyptian Pilots Maintain Navigation After Staff Departure
Suez Canal
Egyptian authorities kept canal traffic operating after the withdrawal of many foreign pilots, strengthening claims of operational competence.
October 30th, 1956
Anglo French Ultimatum Received
Cairo
Britain and France delivered an ultimatum on 30 October demanding that Egypt and Israel withdraw from the canal and allow foreign forces to occupy key points.
October 30th, 1956
Anglo French Ultimatum Rejected
Cairo
Nasser rejected the ultimatum, refusing to accept British and French military positions in Egyptian territory under the stated pretext of protecting shipping.
October 30th, 1956
Egypt Rejects Foreign Troop Entry Demand
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government refused the ultimatum because accepting Anglo French occupation of canal positions would violate Egyptian sovereignty.
October 31st, 1956
Egypt Appeals Against Anglo French Attack
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government sought international condemnation of the air offensive launched after Egypt rejected the ultimatum.
October 31st, 1956
Security Council Veto Blocks Ceasefire
Cairo
British and French vetoes prevented the Security Council from adopting an immediate resolution demanding withdrawal, pushing the crisis into the General Assembly.
October 31st, 1956
War Disrupts Navigation Through Suez Waterway
Suez Canal
Anglo French air attacks and Egyptian defensive measures turned the canal zone into a combat area and threatened ordinary navigation.
November 1956
Canal Closure During Hostilities
Suez Canal
Egyptian authorities obstructed the Suez Canal during the invasion, leaving it closed to through shipping while the military crisis continued.
November 1956
Ceasefire Incidents Monitored
Port Said
United Nations peacekeepers investigated and reported incidents along the Port Said ceasefire lines in cooperation with Egyptian officials.
November 1956
Foreign Troop Withdrawal Demanded
Cairo
Nasser insisted that a ceasefire alone was insufficient and called for the complete departure of British, French and Israeli forces.
November 1956
Peacekeepers Assigned Ceasefire Observation
Suez Canal
United Nations troops monitored the ceasefire around Port Said and the canal, reporting violations and seeking to reduce further clashes.
November 1956
Peacekeeping Deployment Consent Negotiated
Cairo
Egypt negotiated with United Nations officials over the entry of an emergency force, with Egyptian consent central to the proposed deployment.
November 1956
Port Said Civil Authority Cooperation
Port Said
Egyptian officials cooperated with UNEF personnel on public order and protection of property during the transition from foreign military occupation.
November 1956
Ships Sunk to Block Navigation
Suez Canal
Egyptian forces scuttled vessels in the waterway as a denial measure to prevent invading forces and shipping from using the canal during the fighting.
November 1956
UNEF Buffer Zone Established
Port Said
United Nations troops took positions separating Anglo French and Egyptian forces, helping stabilise the contested Port Said area.
November 1st, 1956
Egyptian President Condemns Foreign Air Strikes
Cairo
Gamal Abdel Nasser denounced British and French bombing as an attack on Egyptian sovereignty and pledged resistance to the intervention.
November 1st, 1956
Egyptian Scuttling Obstructs Canal Shipping
Suez Canal
Egyptian crews sank vessels in the canal, creating blockages that prevented ordinary commercial transit during the war.
November 1st, 1956
Emergency Assembly Considers Egypt
Cairo
The United Nations General Assembly convened its first emergency special session to address the attacks on Egypt after Security Council action was blocked.
November 2nd, 1956
Egypt Backs Ending Foreign Military Attack
United Nations
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government supported international action to end the offensive and secure the removal of invading forces.
November 2nd, 1956
General Assembly Withdrawal Resolution Welcomed
Cairo
Egypt welcomed international demands for a halt to hostilities and withdrawal behind armistice lines as the invasion continued.
November 2nd, 1956
United Nations Ceasefire Appeal
Cairo
The United Nations General Assembly called for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of foreign forces on 2 November; Egypt supported an end to the invasion.
November 4th, 1956
Emergency Peacekeeping Proposal Emerges
Cairo
The General Assembly asked for a plan to establish an emergency international force with the consent of concerned countries, setting the stage for UNEF.
November 4th, 1956
UNEF Consent Requirement Preserved
Cairo
The original United Nations proposal for an emergency force stipulated consent from the countries concerned, giving Egypt a decisive role in its deployment.
November 5th, 1956
Port Said Aerial Assault Begins
Port Said
British and French airborne forces attacked the Port Said area on 5 November, opening the ground phase of their intervention against Egypt.
November 5th, 1956
Port Said Civilian Resistance Encouraged
Port Said
Nasser called for national resistance as military defenders and civilians opposed the Anglo French assault at the northern entrance to the canal.
November 5th, 1956
United Nations Emergency Force Approved
Cairo
The United Nations created a command structure for its first emergency force, intended to supervise the ceasefire and facilitate withdrawal from Egyptian territory.
November 6th, 1956
Anglo French Ceasefire Announced
Cairo
The British and French governments accepted a ceasefire on 6 November, bringing their offensive to a halt while occupying the Port Said area.
November 6th, 1956
Ceasefire Leaves Canal Still Obstructed
Suez Canal
The end of major Anglo French fighting did not reopen the Suez Canal because sunken ships and wartime damage remained.
November 6th, 1956
Egyptian Defenders Resist Allied Street Advance
Port Said
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government continued to resist the invaders as fighting in and around Port Said caused damage and civilian suffering.
November 6th, 1956
Port Said Civilian Population Endures Bombardment
Port Said
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government reported the human cost of fighting and damage suffered by civilians in the embattled city.
November 6th, 1956
War Delays Egyptian Development Plans
Cairo
The military conflict and canal closure compounded the financial uncertainty surrounding Egypt's High Dam plans after Western funding was withdrawn.
November 7th, 1956
Egypt Discusses Sovereignty Safeguards for UNEF
United Nations
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government insisted that the presence of United Nations soldiers must respect Egyptian sovereignty and the terms of consent.
November 7th, 1956
Egypt Presses for Withdrawal After Fighting Stops
United Nations
Gamal Abdel Nasser insisted that ending the fighting was insufficient without removing foreign forces occupying Egyptian territory.
November 7th, 1956
Egyptian Ceasefire Compliance Declared
Cairo
Egypt accepted the cessation of hostilities following international intervention while continuing to demand withdrawal of foreign forces from its territory.
November 7th, 1956
United Nations Force Mandate Negotiated
Cairo
The United Nations approved guiding principles for UNEF while Egypt discussed how the force could supervise a ceasefire without infringing sovereignty.
November 12th, 1956
United Nations Headquarters Opens in Cairo
Cairo
UNEF began operating from a temporary headquarters in Cairo on 12 November to coordinate ceasefire supervision and preparations for deployment.
November 15th, 1956
Egypt Permits First UNEF Contingents to Enter
United Nations
Egyptian consent allowed advance elements of the United Nations Emergency Force to reach Egyptian territory after the ceasefire.
November 15th, 1956
United Nations Troops Enter Egypt
Cairo
The first UNEF advance elements reached the Abu Suweir area on 15 November, beginning the physical deployment of United Nations peacekeepers in Egypt.
November 16th, 1956
Hammarskjold Talks Held in Cairo
Cairo
Nasser discussed the status and operation of UNEF with United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold during meetings in Cairo in mid November.
November 18th, 1956
Egypt and UN Agree Peacekeeping Operating Basis
United Nations
The Egyptian government and United Nations officials clarified the principles governing the emergency force's activities on Egyptian soil.
November 18th, 1956
Peacekeeping Good Faith Accord Reached
Cairo
Egypt and the United Nations agreed on principles governing UNEF’s presence and cooperation with Egyptian authorities, preserving the requirement of Egyptian consent.
November 21st, 1956
United Nations Enters Port Said
Port Said
The first United Nations units entered Port Said on 21 November, beginning a gradual replacement of invading forces in parts of the city.
November 24th, 1956
British French Withdrawal Schedule Disputed
Port Said
The General Assembly renewed its demand for rapid withdrawal on 24 November while British and French troops still held positions in Egypt.
November 24th, 1956
Egypt Demands Accelerated Port Said Evacuation
Port Said
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government pressed for an end to all British and French military presence in the city.
November 30th, 1956
United Nations Crosses Canal Eastward
Suez Canal
UNEF personnel crossed to the east bank of the Suez Canal on 30 November as peacekeeping operations expanded beyond the western side.
December 1956
Canal East Bank Buffer Positions Established
Suez Canal
United Nations forces expanded their deployment east of the canal, creating separation between Egyptian and Israeli military positions.
December 1956
Canal Remains Closed After War
Suez Canal
The canal remained closed to navigation at the end of 1956 because of sunken vessels and other obstructions; full reopening came in 1957.
December 1956
French British Withdrawal Accelerates
Port Said
Under United Nations pressure, Britain and France arranged an accelerated evacuation of the Port Said area while UNEF assumed local security functions.
December 1956
Gaza Occupation Continues
Gaza
Gaza remained under Israeli military occupation at the end of 1956, despite United Nations demands for withdrawal behind the established armistice lines.
December 1956
Israeli Occupation Persists in Sinai
Sinai
Although British and French forces departed in December, Israeli troops still occupied Egyptian territory in Sinai; the complete withdrawal took place in 1957.
December 1956
Port Said Security Handover Managed
Port Said
Egyptian civilian authorities coordinated with United Nations troops as responsibility for public order shifted away from departing British and French soldiers.
December 1956
UNEF Withdrawal Supervision Expanded
Port Said
As British and French forces prepared to leave, United Nations troops expanded their duties around Port Said to supervise withdrawal arrangements.
December 1956
United Nations Peacekeepers Guard Installations
Port Said
UNEF personnel helped protect vulnerable public installations during the transition from Anglo French occupation to Egyptian civil administration.
December 1st, 1956
Egypt Seeks Full Control During Clearance Work
Suez Canal
Gamal Abdel Nasser's government maintained its sovereign management claim while negotiations addressed the removal of wrecks.
December 3rd, 1956
UNEF Separates Israeli Egyptian Lines
Sinai
United Nations forces took positions between Israeli and Egyptian troops in early December as efforts to stabilise the ceasefire moved eastward.
December 10th, 1956
Egyptian Authorities Prepare Postwar Canal Recovery
Suez Canal
Egyptian canal administrators planned a return to normal operations while international teams negotiated the removal of sunk vessels.
December 22nd, 1956
Port Said Administration Restored
Port Said
After the Anglo French withdrawal, Egyptian authorities resumed fuller civil administration in Port Said while UNEF temporarily supported stability.
December 22nd, 1956
Port Said Final Allied Withdrawal
Port Said
The remaining British and French troops left Port Said by 22 December, ending their occupation of the Egyptian canal city.
December 23rd, 1956
Egyptian Authorities Resume City Administration
Port Said
After the departure of British and French troops, Egypt restored direct civil authority over Port Said while UN personnel remained nearby.
January 15th, 1957
Egyptian Canal Workforce Supports Wreck Removal
Suez Canal
Egyptian authorities worked with international salvage personnel to remove blockages that had halted traffic since the invasion.
March 7th, 1957
Israeli Withdrawal Improves Regional Reopening Conditions
Suez Canal
Israel's evacuation of Egyptian territory helped reduce military tension while canal clearance operations moved toward completion.
April 1957
Suez Canal Reopens under Egyptian Control
Suez Canal
The canal reopens after clearance operations, with Egypt retaining control of the waterway.
April 8th, 1957
Suez Canal Reopens to International Shipping
Suez Canal
Egypt resumed regular traffic through the canal after the removal of wartime obstructions and the withdrawal of invading forces.
December 27th, 1958
Soviet Credit Revives Aswan Financing Prospects
Cairo
Egypt secured a new financing route through Soviet assistance for the High Dam, replacing the failed Western funding scheme of 1956.