Former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak passed away on Tuesday in hospital at the age of 91, as announced by his son on Twitter. He ruled over Egypt for nearly 30 years before mass protests in 2011 forced him out of power.
إنا لله و إنا اليه راجعون ، انتقل الي رحمه الله صباح اليوم والدي الرئيس مبارك . اللهم أعفو عنه و اغفر له و ارحمه . pic.twitter.com/xOFgjZ7phr
— Alaa Mubarak (@AlaaMubarak_) February 25, 2020
Around the Middle East and Gulf region, heads of state responded to Mubarak's death by sending their condolences and sympathies.
The Mubarak administration was known to take on the mediator role during Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed “deep sorrow" about the passing of Mubarak, who he called a “personal friend.”
On behalf of the citizens and Government of Israel, I would like to express deep sorrow on the passing of President Hosni Mubarak. President Mubarak, my personal friend, was a leader who led his people to peace and security, to peace with Israel. pic.twitter.com/J6FfCp9iPG
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 25, 2020
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also expressed “great sadness and sorrow” and praised Mubarak for his support of the Palestinian people.
The UAE announced they would lower flags to half mast to mourn Mubarak’s passing, with the Ministry of Presidential Affairs issuing statement of mourning.
"Today, the Arab world has lost a prominent leader who devoted his life to the service of his country and the Arab world. Hosni Mubarak had a special relationship with the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and a strong bond with President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who together helped bolster ties between the two countries further," it said.
The emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad, and the Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah both sent their condolences to Egypt’s current president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. They issued statements of mourning, saying “may God bless him with mercy and forgiveness.”
Oman’s new sultan Haitham bin Tariq was among the state leaders who sent condolences to Mr Sisi I the wake of Mubarak’s death.
حضرة صاحب الجلالة السلطان #هيثم_بن_طارق المعظم - أبقاه الله- يبعث برقية تعزية ومواساة إلى فخامة الرئيس عبد الفتاح السيسي رئيس جمهورية #مصر العربية في وفاة الرئيس المصري الأسبق محمد #حسني_مبارك pic.twitter.com/XC1a17wra5
— وكالة الأنباء العمانية (@OmanNewsAgency) February 25, 2020
Outside the Gulf region, Lebanese politician and leader of the Progressive Socialist Party Walid Joumblatt called Mubarak a “great friend of Lebanon” noting Mubarak’s support after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rakif Hariri and his assistance in pushing out Syrian regime forces of Lebanon.
الامانة التاريخية تقضي بالاعتراف ان الرئيس مبارك كان صديقا كبيرا للبنان ووقف معنا في أوج المحنة بعد اغتيال رفيق الحريري لإخراج قوات النظام السوري كما ساهم في إنشاء المحكمة الدولية .تبقى مصر العربية داعما لاستقرار لبنان واستقلاله ودولة محورية في الشرق العربي. رحمه الله pic.twitter.com/7foqtWv8Gt
— Walid Joumblatt (@walidjoumblatt) February 25, 2020