48th anniversary of Nasser's departure

CAIRO, Sept 28 (SEE)- Gamal Abdel Nasser Hussein (January 15, 1918 - September 28, 1970) was the second president of Egypt. He was elected President of the Republic after the July 23 revolution that overthrew King Farouk in 1952. He remained in power until his death in 1970.

Nasser was considered an undisputed leader. He established "Sawt al-Arab" Radio, which spread his ideas throughout the Arabic-speaking world.

Nasser's neutral policies during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union strained relations with Western powers that withdrew their funding for the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Nasser responded by nationalizing the Suez Canal Company in 1956.

In 1956, France, England, and Israel waged war against Egypt, known as the Suez Crises. Nasser won the war politically after the tripartite aggression withdrew their troops from the country.

In 1962, Nasser began a series of socialist reforms and despite the setbacks of his Arab nationalist cause. By 1963 Nasser's supporters came to power in several Arab countries.

Nasser introduced a new constitution in 1964, and on the same year, he became president of the Non-Aligned Movement.

In 1967, He resigned from all his political posts following the defeat in the 1967 war. He returned to office after mass demonstrations broke out demanding his return to office.

Between 1967 and 1968, Nasser launched a war of attrition to regain the lost territory of the 1967 war.

Nasser's popularity grew considerably in the region, and calls for Arab unity under his leadership have increased, thus the United Arab Republic was established with Syria in 1958-1961.

After the Arab League summit in 1970, Nasser died of a heart attack. Nasser's supporters still regard him as a symbol of Arab dignity, and unity. His funeral was attended by around five million people.

Nasser was an acknowledged spokesperson. He delivered over 1359 speeches between the years 1953 and 1970.

The 18 years of his rule represented an exceptional chapter in the Egyptian scene and the entire Arab history.