Ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak “close to death”

Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak is in a critical condition and on life support after being moved from prison hospital to military hospital, with initial reports suggesting he was ‘clinically dead’.

The 84-year-old’s health has been declining since he was sentenced to life in prison for allowing the death of the 850 people who died during the riots which led to his ousting, although many are now saying that his illness is being exaggerated to allow for the transfer to military hospital where it is likely that he will receive preferential treatment.

After Mubarak’s condition was announced, around 50,000 demonstrators gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square – the centre of last year’s demonstrations. Those gathering were mainly Islamists, gathered in support of Mohammed Morsi, a member of Egypt’s most powerful political group, The Muslim Brotherhood, and the man likely to be the first freely elected Egyptian president.

There are current claims on the presidency by The Scaf – The Supreme Court of Armed Services – and by a former prime minister under Mubarak – Ahmed Shafiq. The Scaf has dissolved parliament and claimed all legislative power for itself in a move that activists have described as a ‘military coup.’

Mr Mubarak ruled over Egypt for 30 years from 1981, before a wave of protests which began on 25^th January 2011. More than 850 people died in the following riots and Mubarak was put in prison for life for failing to prevent the deaths of protesters.

Abbie Cavendish