Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who ruled Egypt for 30 years before he was overthrown in a popular uprising.
Mubarak was ousted from power in the early days of the Arab Spring, died on Tuesday, February 25 at the age of 91, according to Egyptian state television.
For many Egyptians, Mubarak became the symbol of all that was wrong with their country.
His three-decades rule is most remembered as a time of political repression, widespread corruption and economic stagnation for everyone.
Many Egyptians who took to the streets in early 2011 seeking his ouster weren’t even born when the former military pilot first became president.
Mubarak spent three decades in office before a popular uprising swept Egypt.
He was found guilty of complicity in the killing of protesters during the revolution. That conviction was overturned and was freed in March 2017.
His death was confirmed by Egyptian state news on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the Al-Watan website reported that he died at a military hospital.
Mubarak underwent surgery in late January. His son Alaa said on Saturday that Mubarak remained in intensive care.
Egyptians said he had no personality. He was not a natural politician. But he was brutally efficient.
He declared an emergency law in place throughout his entire presidency that allowed him to keep political opponents in prison without being charged or going to trial. Many of his prisoners were tortured and executed.
Egypt’s presidency declared three days of national mourning, beginning on Wednesday, after the death of Mubarak.
The Egyptian Armed Forces extended condolences to the family of Mubarak after his death was confirmed on Tuesday.
“The Armed Forces mourns one of its sons and one of the leaders of the glorious October war, former President of Egypt, Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, who passed away this morning and extends condolences to his family, to military officers and the armed forces,” a statement said.
Mubarak graduated from military college in 1952 and rose up the ranks until he became commander of the air force during the 1973 war between Egypt and Israel.
In a statement to mark the passing of Egypt’s former President Hosni Mubarak, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described him as “a leader who led his people to peace and security, to peace with Israel.”
Describing Mubarak as a personal friend, Netanyahu said, “I met with him many times. I was impressed by his commitment; we will continue to follow this common path. I would like to send condolences to President Sisi, to the Mubarak family and to the Egyptian people.”
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has paid tribute to the support he received from Egypt’s former President Hosni Mubarak, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reports.
“His Excellency praised the stances of the late President in supporting the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people, in achieving their rights to freedom and independence,” Wafa reports, adding that Abbas mourned [Mubarak’s passing] with great sadness and sorrow.”
Mubarak played a key role in several rounds of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
ho so sad, RIP