Heikal Reported Ousted from Ministerial Post As Power Struggle Unfolds

Mohammed H. Heikal, one of the late President Nasser’s closest friends, has been quietly ousted from his ministerial post in a power struggle now going on in Egypt. CBS Radio Network news correspondent Bob Allison reported from Beirut yesterday. Heikal, editor of Cairo’s semi-official daily Al Ahram, was Minister of National Guidance, a post to which he was named by Nasser earlier this year. As the President’s confidant and unofficial press spokesman he was credited with tremendous power in Egyptian ruling circles and was regarded as a likely successor of Nasser, Mr. Allison said. According to CBS, Heikal was ousted because he was trying to replace interim President Anwar Sadat with a coalition over which he would have considerable control. Mr. Sadat was nominated to succeed Nasser by the Egyptian National Assembly and is expected to receive an overwhelming endorsement in a popular referendum to be held later this month. No announcement was made of Heikal’s removal but he informed members of the Al Ahram board of directors. Mr. Allison said. President Sadat is supported by a powerful pro-Soviet politician. Ali Sabry. Together, according to Allison, they quashed Heikal’s power play in the first open split among Nasser’s associates since his death Sept. 28.