Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-28
Naguib Return
In Egypt TO Be
As Fi!gurehead
Will Be President,
Nusser Premier and
Head of Council
BY the Assoeioied Press

~ AS9S nv y JOAA4S AAAAAAOAA SON
erning group bowed to popular
will yesterday and restored Maj
Gen. Mohamed Naguib to the
presidency of Egypt.
But early today the young
officer group issued a communi-
que indicating intentions to make
him more a figurehead than an
executive power.
Gen. Naguib was at his home
when the post-mldnight com
munique was issued and was not
available to comment personally
on the role planned for him but
he accepted it.
He had spent a jubilant day
acknowledging the cheers of the
many applauding his return to
Office after two days as prisoner
under house arrest of guards
posted by the young officer
group.
Until he was overthrown carly
Thursday, Gen. Naguib had been
president of the republic. pre-
mier of Egypt and president of
the Revolutionary Council. Vice
Premier Canal Abdel Nasser
then became premier and head
of the council and acting preSi-
dent.
Council Head Is Key Job.
Under the setup announced
In a communique by the Revolu-
tionary Council early today. Gen.
Naguib would be president OF
"the parliamentary Egyptian re-
public"-a new name-and &C.
year-old 1t. Col. Nasser would
continue in the other two jobs,
The council leadership is re-
garded as the key job in Egypt,
although under the rules the
dozen members have equal voting
powers and majority rule pre-
walls.
The broadcast communique
did not say what was meant by
parliamentary republic. This
was mystifying because the last
Egyptian parliament was dis
solved early in 1852, before the
military group forced the abdica-
ton of King Farouk. and no
mention was made Of new par
liamentary elections.
Sources close to the council
said the intent was clearly to
limit the presidents powers to
formalities such as those en-
joyed by the president of France.
After Gen. Naguib's removal. the
young officers said he had sought
executive powers like those OF
the President of the United
States and they had offered to
compromise by making him a
parliamentary president" -one
presumably ansWerable to par
lament.
Naguib Accepts Position.
While Gen. Naguib did not at
tend the communique-drafting
council meeting, a letter made
public in his behalf said lin
preserving the unity of the ma
ton under the present circum-
stances and in response to the
invitation of the revolutionary
council, I have accepted the
presidency of the parliamentary
Egyptian republic"
For it's part, the council called
for unity and appealed Ito the
Egyptian people, the Sudanese
people, the Arab world and
friendly nations to extend al
possible facilities for stability OF
this part of the world and to
forget developments of the last
few days"
Reports which were not con-
f1rmed, persisted that Gen
Naguib was insisting now on an
end to martial law, general cleo
lions (Which had not been
planned until after January
1860, and the abolition of the
revolutionary tribunal which al
ready has sentenced a score OF
formerly influential Egyptians
for corruption during the Farouk
regime.
The official Egyptian radio
broke the news of Gen. Naguib' s
restoration yesterday.
ThrOngs Join in Parades.
In the streets of Cairo. where
a few hours before armed police
and soldiers stood guard to pre-
vent possible rioting, scores oil
impromptu parades started. with
the enthusiastic crowds shouting
such slogans as God save
Naguib" and mo revolution
without Naguib."
Tears of JOY ran down Gen
Naguib's cheeks as he told {
reporter I'VE must all sacrifice
ourselves for the sake of Egypt
This dissension is a tempest il
a teapot"
The communique broadcast Il
20 million Egyptians said: 9TH,
revolutionary council announced
that to preserve the unity O.
the nation the council decided
to restore Gen. Naguib as presi
dent Of Egypt and Gen. Naguil
has accepted"
This council of young militar.
leaders announced early Thurs
day that Gen. Naguib hat
been removed as president ant
premier because he wanted t,
assume the powers of a dictator
The bitter split within tn
council leaked to the public Sat
urday morning as Col. Nassel
moved up tanks and field gun
to guard army headquarters.
For hours the IL young officers
argued, then finally decided tt
back down and restore Gen
Naguib as chief of state in thu
interest Of Egyptian unity.