Gamal Salem

Gamal Salem
Gamal Salem following the revolution, 1952
Personal details
Born	1918
Died	1968
Nationality	Egyptian
Occupation	Minister of Communications (1952-54) Deputy Prime Minister (1954-59)
Religion	Islam
Military service
Rank	Wing Commander

Gamal Salem (1918–1968; Arabic: جمال سالم‎‎) was a prominent member of the Free Officers who led the Egyptian Revolution of 1952 that toppled the monarchy of Egypt and Sudan. Prior to the Revolution, he served as an officer in Royal Egyptian Air Force.

In late 1951, Gamal Salem and Anwar Sadat joined the underground Free Officers movement established by Gamal Abdel Nasser. The group's purpose was to overthrow the monarchy of King Farouk, and end the British occupation of Egypt and Sudan. Following the successful overthrow of Farouk in a coup d'état on 23 July 1952, there was disagreement on what was to be done with the deposed monarch. Although Nasser and most of the Free Officers argued that Farouk be ceremoniously exiled from Egypt and Sudan (to Italy, the King's chosen destination), Salem favoured the summary executed of the former King, stating: "A head like Farouk's only interests me when it has fallen," and continually insisted this be carried out. Ultimately, the revolutionaries settled on a peaceful exile for Farouk, and Salem was forbidden by Nasser from attending the former King's departure ceremony.

Following Farouk's exile, a revolutionary government was formed by the Free Officers, headed by Muhammad Naguib. Eleven months later, the monarchy was abolished, and a republic was declared, with Naguib as President and Prime Minister. Salem gained the post of Communications Minister. Salem was considered a Nasser loyalist and strongly opposed Naguib holding power, many times humiliating the latter and using the Egyptian media against him.