Mubarak fans, lovers mourn former president in tears

CAIRO – 26 February 2020: Lovers and supporters of former president Mohamed Hosni Mubarak were seen staging on Wednesday morning to mourn his death in front of the main gate of El-Mosheer Tantawy Mosque in Nasr City as his body is being prepared for transfer ahead of the burial process.

Egypt’s state TV has announced ongoing preparations to transfer the body of Egypt’s former president Mohamed Hosni Mubarak as his military funeral is being set.

Mubarak passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91.

State TV news said the body will be transferred by a helicopter from El-Mosheer Tantawy Mosque in Nasr City to his family’s tomb.

Fans of the former president – some of them shedding tears – held pictures of Mubarak and even wore t-shirts with his photo.

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.