1928- . Egyptian politician, president from
1981. He commanded the air force 1972-75 (and
was responsible for the initial victories in
the Egyptian campaign of 1973 against
Israel), when he became an active vice
president to Anwar Sadat, and succeeded him
on his assassination. He has continued to
pursue Sadat's moderate policies, and has
significantly increased the freedom of the
press and of political association, while
trying to repress the growing Islamic
fundamentalist movement.