Anwar Sadat Sworn in as Egypt's Third President

Name: Anwar Sadat Sworn in as Egypt's Third President
Start: 1918-10-17
Location: Unspecified

Anwar Sadat's Rise to Power

Anwar Sadat Becomes President

On October 15, 1970, Anwar Sadat was officially sworn in as the third President of Egypt, following the death of his predecessor, Gamal Abdel Nasser. Sadat, having served as Vice President under Nasser, was seen as a loyalist to the regime. His ascension marked a pivotal moment in Egyptian history, as he began to distinguish his leadership style from that of Nasser.

Background of Anwar Sadat

Born on December 25, 1918, in Mit Abul Kom, Egypt, Sadat was a military officer who joined the Egyptian army in 1936. He became known for his role in the Free Officers Movement that led to the revolution in 1952, which overthrew the monarchy. His military background and political credentials positioned him to take the reins of a nation fraught with challenges.

Sadat's Leadership and Major Policies

New Policies Under Anwar Sadat

As President, Sadat sought to implement a series of reforms that shifted away from Nasser's socialism and introduced elements of free-market economics. This policy shift was known as the Open Door Policy (Infitah), aimed at encouraging foreign investment and improving the Egyptian economy. His approach invigorated the business community but faced criticism for increasing social inequality.

Sadat's Foreign Policy Initiatives

Perhaps most notably, Sadat made a bold move by pursuing peace with Israel, leading to the Camp David Accords signed in 1978. This agreement, which was facilitated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, aimed to establish a framework for peace in the Middle East and required Sadat to take great political risks domestically and internationally.

Fun Fact

Anwar Sadat’s Groundbreaking Visit to Israel

In 1977, Anwar Sadat became the first Arab leader to visit Israel, addressing the Knesset (Israeli parliament) in a groundbreaking move aimed at fostering peace between the two nations.