Gamal Abdel Nasser becomes premier of Egypt

Col. Gamal Abdel Nasser, an Arab nationalist, became premier of Egypt following a military coup. Under his leadership Egypt continued its participation in the Arab-Israeli conflicts. Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal and blocked British and French ships from using the canal. This caused the Suez Crisis in which the British, French, and Israeli government declared war on Egypt to regain control of the Suez Canal.