Mehmed Ali initially demanded only Syria, not independence

Evidence

Be that as it may, what is important to note is that independence was not one of the conditions set forth by Mehmed Ali when he met Halil Pasha in Alexandria; this demand was persistently demanded by Ibrahim Pasha in letters sent to his father from his camp near Konia, but was not voiced by Mehmed Ali himself until much later. — Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed Ali, his…, 255