At the outset of the occupation of…

At the outset of the occupation of Egypt, the British government declares its intention to withdraw its troops as soon as possible.

This cannot be done, however, until the authority of the khedive is restored.

Eventually, the British realize that these two aims are incompatible because the military intervention, which Khedive Tawfiq had supported and which had prevented his overthrow, has undermined the authority of the ruler.

Without the British presence, the khedival government would probably collapse.