1918-1970. Egyptian politician, prime
minister 1954-56 and from 1956 president of
Egypt (the United Arab Republic 1958-71). In
1952 he was the driving power behind the
Neguib coup, which ended the monarchy. His
nationalization of the Suez Canal 1956 led to
an Anglo-French invasion and the Suez
Crisis), and his ambitions for an
Egyptian-led union of Arab states led to
disquiet in the Middle East (and in the
West). Nasser was also an early and
influential leader of the non-aligned
movement.