LONDON: The late Egyptian president Anwar Sadat intended to relinquish power but he was assassinated before he could do so, secret British documents reveal.
A report sent by the British ambassador in Cairo Sir Michael Weir in 1981 that the BBC has obtained states that Sadat was very serious about his desire to resign.
The late president expressed his intention to retire on April 25, 1981 (Sinai liberation day), but was extremely popular and this could have influenced his decision not to resign, Weir wrote in his report.
The British ambassador sent his report 23 days after Sadat’s assassination and stated that he met the late Egyptian president five months before he died. During the meeting, a prominent British leader tried to persuade Sadat to make another visit to Jerusalem.
According to the report, Sir Michael Weir, three British military attachés, and their wives attended the military parade in during which Sadat was assassinated.
UK secret documents: Sadat intended to step down prior to assassination
UK secret documents: Sadat intended to step down prior to assassination
