Old News

"Back in Egypt inefficiency and corruption in the administration and high interest rates by European bankers brought bankruptcy, which led to British and French plans to occupy the country in the interest of European investors. After considerable political maneuvering the British landed troops in Alexandria in 1882, defeated nationalist troops, took control of Egypt's finances, pledged to reform the administration and withdraw. The French, unable to intervene because of domestic problems, were apprehensive of Britain's unilateral move."

from Africans and Their History by Joseph E. Harris, Ph. D., from the 1998 edition.