ANGLO-EGYPTIAN TREATY

(Aug. 26, 1936), treaty, signed at Montreux, Switz., in May 1937, establishing Egypt as a sovereign state after 50 years of British occupation. The 20-year military alliance allowed Great Britain to impose martial law and censorship in Egypt in the event of international emergency; provided for the stationing of up to 10,000 British troops and 400 Royal Air Force pilots in the Suez Canal Zone until the Egyptians should be capable of protecting the area; and permitted Great Britain to retain its naval base at Alexandria for a maximum of eight years. Further, a British ambassador to Egypt replaced the former high commissioner. After a transitional period, the Capitulations (q.v.) were to be abolished, and, with the additional extinction of the Mixed Courts, foreigners would be subject to Egyptian law.