In February, 1954 Mohammed Naguib resigned after having several disputes with the members of the Revolutionary Council. Nasser was nominated as Chairman of the Revolution Command Council and as Prime-Minister. The following is the Council Statement for the reasons behind the dispute which took place on 25 February, 1954:
“ My fellow citizens
“ it was never the aim of the Revolution which took place on
23 July, 1952 to appoint certain people or to acquire profit or high positions.
God knows that this Revolution took place only to establish the ethics that we
lost as a result of long term corruption.
From the very
beginning, the Revolution faced considerable hardships which were decisively
tackled without tending to personal interests- that is why it has been firmly
established and is steadily moving towards its goals.
I am certain that you know the extent of the hardships faced
by the Revolution specially at a time when the nation is occupied. This heavy
load was carried by the members of the Council whose motive was to take the
nation to a safe shore, however much it cost them.
What made matters worse is the fact that the Council members
decided to nominate a leader for the Revolution who was not one of its members,
as they were all young men. Major General Mohammed Naguib was chosen, who was
much older and held a higher rank, had a good reputation and was not polluted
with the corruption that prevailed at that time.
Two months before the
Revolution he was notified and he accordingly agreed.
As soon as he found
out through a phone call about the Revolution, he headed to the main building
of the Revolutionary Council and held a meeting with its members. The situation
was delicate because for more than a month the work of the Revolutionary
Council went on without him actually participating because until that day,
specifically 25 August 1952, he was not yet an official member.
This caused him to suffer despite the fact that he was
internationally recognized as the actual President and authentic leader of the
Revolution.
Less than six months later, he started claiming for more
authority which was refuted by the Council as it was against its regulations to
grant its leader more authority than any of its members.
Despite the fact that he was nominated as both President and
Prime Minister, he still insisted on acquiring more authority. Our insistence
to refuse was to ascertain that all authority is equally shared between all
members.
Finally, he came up with the following propositions:
To have the right to
object to any decision taken by the members of the Council, even if the
majority agreed.
To have the authority to nominate ministers and dismiss them
in addition to promoting officers and transferring them.
Thus he was asking for complete individual authority; for
the last ten months we have been trying to dissuade him but he remained
adamant- to the extent of resorting to self-exile in order to force us to
compel to his requirements. Three days ago, he submitted his resignation
despite the fact that he knows that any discord within the Council at a time
like this would yield unfavorable consequences.
Fellow citizens:
The Council has endured this constant pressure at a time
when they are confronted with severe problems concerning the nation, inherited
from previous generations. This is in addition to the ongoing struggle with
usurpers in Egypt and Sudan, and with the traitors stationed at its borders;
not to mention the nation’s strife with the economy and its efforts to amend
the ongoing corruption and to improve production, among other battles fought by
the Council.
Today the Council has made the following decisions:
First: To accept the resignation of Major General Mohammed
Naguib from all posts held by him.
Second: The Revolution Command Council shall be headed by
Major General Gamal Abdel Nasser until the revolution achieves its main goal
which is to free the nation of its occupants.
Solution of the Muslim Brotherhood Union
Third: Appointing Major General Gamal Abdel Nasser as Prime
Minister.
Finally, I confirm that this Revolution will persist,holding on to its ideals no matter what! May
God grant us success.”
Soon, however, this conflict was resolved and the
Revolutionary Council accepted reappointing Mohammed Naguib as President
according to a decree issued on 27 February, 1954.
Following that, a lot of commotion took place -which was
organized by the Muslim Brotherhood Union and some elements from the old
regime, despite the fact that the Council had previously passed a verdict to
liquidate that union on 14 January, 1954.
During that time the Revolutionary Council was brimming with
internal struggle as a result of its decision to stop supporting the
Revolution. Firstly, the three years transition period was cancelled. Moreover,
on 5 March, 1954 an organization appointed by election was set-up which was due
to meet in July, 1954 in order to discuss the new constitution and to take over
the responsibilities of the Parliament until the institution of a new one took
place. At the same time, conventional laws and censorship of newspapers and
publishing were cancelled.
Allow the institution of political parties and the elimination of deprivation of political rights
Secondly: the Revolutionary Council decided to appoint
Mohammed Naguib as Chairman of the Revolution Command Council and Prime
Minister after Nasser renounced that post and settled with becoming the Vice
Chairman of the Revolution Command Council.
Finally, the Council
decided on 25 March, 1954 to allow the institution of political parties and to
dissolve the Revolutionary Council on 24 July, 1954- that is, on the day of
elections of the new organization (Council’s decision to allow the institution
of political parties).
Despite the fact that those decrees were cancelled by the
Revolutionary Council on 29 March, 1954 (Council’s decision to defer the
verdicts passed on 25 March, 1954), yet the strife that took place within the
Council resulted in a split between Mohammed Naguib, supported by Khalid Mohie-
Eldin, and Nasser along with the other members.
This strife had its repercussions on the army, in addition
to its exploitation by the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of the old regime
who backed Naguib and were in contact with him.
Defer the verdicts passed on 25 March, 1954
On 17 April, 1954 Nasser was nominated as Prime Minister,
while Naguib was confined to his presidential role until an attempt to
assassinate Nasser by a member of the Muslim Brotherhood on 26 October, 1954
during a speech in Manshiya Square in Alexandria took place. Moreover, after
interrogations with the Muslim Brotherhood, it was apparent that Naguib had
been in touch with them and even promised to support them in case they managed
to overthrow the existing regime. At this point, precisely on 14 November,
1954, the Revolutionary Council decided to acquit Naguib of all his
responsibilities while the presidential post remained vacant and the
Revolutionary Council headed by Nasser took charge.
Nasser was elected as
President following the poll held on 24 June, 1956 and according to the
constitution of 16 January, 1956- the first constitution of the Revolution.
Major General Mohammed Naguib exemption from all positions occupied by him
On 22 February, 1958 Nasser became President of the United
Arab Republic after the union between Egypt and Syria, and that was until their
separation on 28 September, 1961 as a result of the conspiracy arranged by
members of the Syrian Army.
Nasser, however, remained President of the United Arab
Republic until his departure on 28 September, 1970.