State authorities on alert for Mubarak's funeral

CAIRO – 26 February 2020: Egyptians are preparing to witness the military funeral of Egypt’s longest-serving ruler in more than 150 years, Mohamed Hosni Mubarak.

Mubarak was taken to the intensive care unit in the last days of his life, and, following an emergency surgery, passed away at the age of 91.

Security authorities have raised their level of readiness in anticipation of the expected crowds that will be witnessed during the funeral.

The Cairo International Airport is also witnessing special preparations to receive a number of high-level international and Arab delegations and officials.

By law no.35/1975, the former president is entitled to a military funeral because he was the Commander of the Air Force during the October 6, 1973 War.

The law provides that high-ranking commanders at the Egyptian Armed Forces during the war shall not retire, and that if they are appointed in a civilian post out of necessity, they have to return to military service after they finish their term.

Sources told Egypt Today that the body will be buried in the family’s tomb located in Madinat Nasr neighborhood.

Mubarak was viewed as a war hero by many Egyptians, because he served as commander of the Egyptian Air Force during the October 6 War in 1973.

Egypt's presidency mourned the death of the former president “for his services to the country as a commander, and one of the heroes of the great October War.

“Mubarak was commander of the Air Forces during the war that restored dignity and pride to the Arab nation," the presidency said in a statement, as it expressed condolences to his family.”

The Armed Forces further expressed condolences to the Mubarak family and officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces and wished the deceased mercy, according to a statement released by Military Spokesman Tamer El-Refai.