Muhammad Naguib
When Muhammad Naguib, the leader of the Free Officers, was selected by the RCC to become President of Egypt in 1953, Salem was given the posts of Minister of National Guidance, and Minister of State for Sudanese Affairs. As part of his national guidance post, Salem warned the Egyptian press against "rumour mongering" and threatened to suspend the licences of journalists who "deviated from the upright path." Salem was committed strongly to preserving the Egyptian union with Sudan, which was under continual threat by the United Kingdom, which had occupied Egypt and Sudan since the end of the 19th century.