Like other rulers of Egypt before him , Ali desired to control Bilad al-Sham ( the Levant ) , both for its strategic value and for its rich natural resources ; nor was this a sudden , vindictive decision on the part of the Wāli since he had harbored this goal since his early years as Egypt 's unofficial ruler .
Like other rulers of Egypt before him , Ali desired to control the Levant , both for its strategic value and for its rich natural resources .