Nasser 's popularity in Egypt and the Arab world skyrocketed after his nationalization of the Suez Canal and his political victory in the subsequent Suez Crisis . Calls for pan-Arab unity under his leadership increased , culminating with the formation of the United Arab Republic with Syria from 1958 to 1961 . In 1962 , Nasser began a series of major socialist measures and modernization reforms in Egypt . Despite setbacks to his pan-Arabist cause , by 1963 Nasser 's supporters gained power in several Arab countries , but he became embroiled in the North Yemen Civil War and eventually the much larger Arab Cold War . He began his second presidential term in March 1965 after his political opponents were banned from running . Following Egypt 's defeat by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War , Nasser resigned , but he returned to office after popular demonstrations called for his reinstatement . By 1968 , Nasser had appointed himself Prime Minister , launched the War of Attrition to regain lost territory , began a process of depoliticizing the military and issued a set of political liberalization reforms . After the conclusion of the 1970 Arab League summit , Nasser suffered a heart attack and died . His funeral in Cairo drew five million mourners and an outpouring of grief across the Arab world
1970 Arab League summit
1970 Arab League summit
Gamal Abdel Nasser