The return of the Wafd and the abrogation of the 1936 treaty

08The return of the Wafd and the abrogation of the 1936 treaty

• Faced with the deterioration of the political situation, King Farouk was forced to agree to free general elections in January 1950, which the Wafd won by a majority, and Mustafa al-Nahas became prime minister. He released the freedoms that had been suppressed under the minority ministries.
• He entered negotiations with the British government to amend the 1936 treaty, from March 1950 to August 1951.
• When they achieved no success, al-Nahas announced in October 1951 the abrogation of the 1936 treaty and gave the people freedom to make armed struggle against the British forces in the Canal.
• The fedayeen began attacking British camps, and the government worked to increase the number of police (block) soldiers in order to help the fedayeen.