Novelist Naguib Mahfuz wins Nobel Prize for Literature. After 12-year rift, Egypt and Syria resume diplomatic relations. Egypt participates in UN operation to liberate Kuwait. Damascus Declaration provides for a defense pact among Egypt, Syria and GCC countries against Iraq. 1994-1998 Islamic extremists launch campaign of terrorism, killing scores of civilians and foreign tourists.
Government steps up counter-measures.
Banned Gamaat Islamiya ends campaign to overthrow government.