Hussein al-Shafi, one symbol of the Naserite revolution is dead
Egypt, Politics, 11/19/2005

One symbol of the Naserite revolution, Vice President under the rule of the two Egyptian President Jamal Abdul Nasser and Anwar al-Sadat, Hussein al-Shafi died in Cairo on Friday.

Shafi was one of the prominent symbols for the revolution of July 23, 1952 and was considered in recent years by the Egyptian opposition one of the main "national symbols," as he was together with the former prime minister Aziz Sidqi, the two most important figures under the rule of Abdul Nasser vastly appreciated in the circles of the opposition in all its groups.

Shafi was born in al-Gharbeyah governorate in 1918. His father was an engineer in Tanta. He came to know the Egyptian leader Abdul Nasser during their study in the military academy in 1937, and fought with him in Palestine in 1948, and then joined al-Ahrar ( liberal) officers which was established by Abdul Nasser.

During the secret work phase of the organization, he was chosen by Abdul Nasser to be the representative for the liberal officers in the armored vehicle leadership department, before he became a member in the revolution's leadership council besides Abdul Naser, Sadat, Hussien Ibrahim, Jamal Salem, Zakaria Mohey eddine, Salah salem, Abdul Hakim Amer, Abdul Latif al- Baghdadi and Khaled Mohey Eddine.

Shafi occupied the post of the war minister in 1954, and one year later became the minister of social affairs, and then a minister of planning until he became the minister of al-Azhar affairs in 1961.

Shafi took part in the negotiations which preceded the announcement of unity between Egypt and Syria in February 1908 and in 1963 was chosen by Abdul Nasser to be Vice President.

In 1967, Shafi occupied post of the presidency revolution's court which tried officers who joined the rebellion led by the war minister Abdul Hakim Amer after June 1967 war.

Shafi remained Egypt's vice president until 1969 when Abdul Naser replaced him by Anwar al-Sadat. When Sadat became the President of the republic in 1970, he kept Shafi as his deputy until 1974 were differences erupted between the two men.

Shafi is known that he was the strongest opponent for Sadat. He opposed him openly and continued to accuse him of "treason." He also continued to criticize the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak until the last days of his life.

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