MESS Report / Mubarak's health seriously deteriorating, possibly from cancer
Egyptian president undergoes medical tests during surprise visit to Paris on for meetings with Nicolas Sarkozy and Saad Hariri.
By Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff Tags: Hosni Mubarak Egypt Israel newsEgyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s health has taken a serious turn for the worse, with fears that the 83-year-old is suffering from cancer, Haaretz has learned.
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Egypt President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, May 9, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
Mubarak made a surprise visit to Paris on Monday for meetings there with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri - but he also underwent a round of medical tests, promptiong speculation that these were the real reason for the visit.
Press photographs from both meetings that were distributed to the media do not show the Egyptian president to have any discernible signs of illness.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egypt President Hosni Mubarak during a meeting in Sharm el-Sheik, Monday, May 3, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
In March, Mubarak was hospitalized in Germany after undergoing “a complicated procedure,” according to officials. Both the Egyptian authorities and the heads of the German hospital declined to provide further details on the nature of the surgery.
Arab and international media outlets published numerous reports on the speculation surrounding Mubarak’s condition. One such report claimed the Egyptian leader suffered from serious back trouble, while others said Mubarak was treated for a faulty gall bladder.
Mubarak was instructed to take a lengthy convalescence following his surgery. Immediately after reports surfaced about his declining health, Mubarak was quick to appear in public to assuage fears about his well-being.
London-based newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported this week in the president's absence, his son, Gamal Mubarak, who heads the policy planning committee of Egypt’s ruling the National Democratic Party, has re-emerged as a prominent player on the political scene.
The Al-Quds Al-Arabi report claims Gamal Mubarak told associates in Egypt that the party needs to unveil a diplomatic platform that will gain widespread support before upcoming parliamentary elections.
Gamal Mubarak, the president’s youngest son, is considered a near shoo-in to inherit his father’s mantle in the event that the elder Mubarak does not seek another term as president. New elections are slated for next year.
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U.S.Vice President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh on June 7, 2010 |
| Photo by: Reuters |
Gamal Mubarak told party members yesterday that the factions ought to work to fight corruption and respect human rights, and champion these causes in the party platform.
In recent months, Egypt’s domestic political scene has been mulling the question of who will succeed the president, not just due to Mubarak’s failing health but also because the president himself has yet to announce his intention to run in the elections.
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Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
A possible candidate for president being discussed is Dr. Mohammed ElBaradei, the former secretary-general of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency. Since returning to Egypt, ElBaradei has actively recruited supporters, particularly political independents. Still, constitutional restrictions render his candidacy doubtful.
Even though the names of other senior figures in the regime have been mentioned as possibly being next in line, among them intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, the most likely scenario is that Gamal Mubarak will be designated as the presidential successor, with his father’s top aides assisting in the orderly transfer of power.
Gamal Mubarak, 47, is known to maintain excellent ties with the Egyptian business community.
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dictator that sold his soul to the highest bidder. He is a leader that put his well being above that of his subjects. I think he will not be missed except by those that he sold his soul to.
Is this a joke? What elections? What opposition? There is no democracy in Egypt OR Jordan, or anywhere else in the arab world. Every Arab country is one bullet away from complete anarchy. Only fools believe in the democracy and elections in the Arabs world, and liars promote it as a convenient fiction for the idiotic soccer watching masses. Communist stooges used to speak of elections in the USSR as well, when we all knew that the communist party of the USSR decided the results of the elections before the "elections" took place. It is no different in the Arab world. The Muslim Brotherhood is waiting in the wings, as the Taliban and Al Queda is in Pakistan, Iraq and Afganistan. The free world is in for some real surprises. Why are people so naive? The Egyptians have US made tanks that can cross the Sinai in less than 24 hrs. In 1973's Yom Kippur war, they has Soviet Tanks and they still managed to cross very fast, but now we must be concerned indeed. Israel is a Banana Republic. We all know that the US govt decides who will win the office of Prime Minister, but we ignore it. We know that they hate Bibi, and love Barak or Tzipi. Even though Bibi is a disappointment, and I never vote, I feel insulted that the USA thinks they can Hijack our democracy. Because of this I will put all my effort and influence behind Bibi. I do this because I cherish an independent Israel more than anything else in the world. We must cut off America or we are no different than Guatemala or any other Arab puppet regime. It's a matter of our future, and self respect as a true nation. If we succeed, we can consider ourselves civilized like the Europeans, who truly have independence. Lastly: Many people think that the arabs hate America because of Israel. I think that the Arabs hate us because they hate America and they see us as America's policeman in the region. Our chances for peace would be greater if we manufactured our own weapons and dealt directly with the arabs without american intervention. I also don't really care if the arabs hate us, as long as we are stronger, and they are defeated by us.
Mubark is a Dictator but all Muslim people need to be controlled by a dictator, other wise they go crazy and become wild exterimist. Gamal is the best candidate for Egyption.
how can you pass judgment on all muslims, you sound like ... Ummmm. and it's Egyptian not with an "o"
This should be a reminder to all that the brotherhood is gaining popularity in Egypt and come the next elections they may get some power. Also consider that whoever becomes the next leader may not be so willing to be Israels lacky in the ME.
Usually, this blog lacks sufficient background information to understand the issue more fully, which is in line with the fact that the blog also lacks in analysis. But today, in the dog days of summer, there are NO real news here at all, other than a report on some speculations. The hard news is that Mubarak appears to be in good health (in France). Why then speculate about cancer? The most ridiculous speculation is about having to undergo (or having undergone) medical tests in France. If his previous illness was treated in Germany, he would have to go back to Germany for tests, not to France, and that would even be natural and not a cause for speculation. I don't believe such an article is worthy of publication. The New York Times would have left it on the cutting floor.
...for his connivance in blockading and starving the people of Gaza. He will not be missed.
Mubarak. Some people are already beating their tam-tams. But be sure after Mubarak there will be a tug-of-war with so many factions vying for power that will tear Egypt apart. Forget the relative quite that charaterized Mubarak's rule............................... All the peoples of the Middle East take note.for the coming upheaval !
There has been some serious renovation and rebuilding in the royal cemetery and its surroundings in Cairo recently. The main street has been totally redone and hundreds of trees are going to be planted in the area. People are saying it could be a possible preparation for a burial ceremony.
Good, his death couldn't come soon enough. Now, would be a good time for a true democracy to take hold and have truly free and fair election that aren't influenced by the Zionist entity and A-Merry-Ca
They are even talking about true anti-Israeli democracy where you can mistreat and even kill people without being bothered by them(Tehran killing) as long as you go anti-Israel. I bet Hezbollah people in Egypt are busy these days?
Just like other Arab dictatorships (Assad, Libya, Moroccan, Saudi, Gulf Kingdoms, etc) Egypt has joined the establishment of its own dynasty 60 years after Nasser's 'people's revolution' ended the Muhammad Ali dynasty......what a joke!
the end of a very small paharao ? please no momification,doesn't worth it
Hey, hey, hey....goodbyeeeeeee, welcome to tyranny part two!
the camal is going to die. he is barabarian and i hope he will suffer slot this animal
I am sure israil is prepared for such day. By the way dont you see it strange for a state , always afraid from every thing , even any simple thing happening anywhere over the world??? Although all the weapons, armies and Generals even most leaders all over the world are paid to protect it, but it still has nightmares.... each night. A state without announcing its border lines with neighbours. All citizines have double citizinships, except Israili Arabs who have only Israili citizinship.... so strange isnt it??????
Israel is losing one more ally. No matter what Israel does; either Egypt or the region will never be the same in the near future. Israeli friends, you need to raise the height of the walls.
The egyptians have gloom future under Mubarak family. But so has all arab nations. They are unreliable "allies" in all circumstances. Israel is right to be vary of them.
The egyptians have gloom future under Mubarak family. But so has all arab nations. They are unreliable "allies" in all circumstances. Israel is right to be vary of them.
,,, no more arabs wars with israel !
mubarak death distrub israel relations with egypt somehow.....
.....until now, under Mubarak, Egypt was at peace. Thirty years. Was that so bad that "whatever is coming is better for Egypt" ?
You say that under Mubarak Egyptians were at peace. That is not true, just because Egypt is not at war does not mean that everything is good. Mubarak created a police state where people have no freedom, no rights and no future. This is all great news for Israel who found the perfect puppet "Mubarak" to keep the Egyptian people from prospering and helping their brothers in Palestine or Iraq.
Syria, jordan, lebanon, libya, saudi, sudan, Iran and very soon turkey. You just like to blame everything and anything at Israel.
...and greater friendliness to Israel won't fit that description.
shoo - in?? Shoe Who does your spell checking?
uh... actually it IS shoo in, meaning a person who has the best chance of being chosen for a job. It was originally a race-track term but is now used in mainstream terms as well. I wouldn't be so quick to criticize next time.
Will extremist Muslims take over in Egypt as they have in Gaza, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Afghanistan and many other extremist nations?
just as extremist Jews took over in ISRAEL!
I think a great man but The London-based daily reported Tuesday that the 83-year-old Mubarak underwent another round of medical tests during his current visit to Paris. The paper said the Egyptian leader may be suffering from cancer, although the exact nature of the illness remains unclear. Card Service http://bestcardservice.com
No mention of elbaradei here? Sources in Egypt give him a good chance.
The important thing now is to facilitate a replacement who is as reasonable as he is. We don't need another Shah-of-Iran situation where, next thing we know, it turns out that his people hated him and that he was alleged to have been propped up by the Americans.
Thats right, we need a good replacement who will continue what Sadat was able to start. Be assured that the Moslem Brotherhood will see this as an opportunity for 'resistance'. Egypt like Turkey is going to have to decide whether they want religious or secular rule.
Egypt is in serious need of a true democracy. There is a hope now that the giant dictator will vanish. There is hope now for the voice of egyptions to be heard.
So Israelis are entitled to democracy Egyptians are not? Israels supporters get to choose the replacement?
Whoever take over from Mubarak has massive task of fixing what Mubarak has caused to Egypt Economy . Mubarak will leave behind him a country with a grim future.
Its public debt is less than Israel's and same with France. Most indices are quite good and improving. You lie because you don't like Mubarak's peaceful reign....You'd like Egypt to disturb the whole Middle East, something like Iran...or Hamas.... or Hezbollah.
with Full dictatorship.....
cancer is a terrible disease. i'm sure we'll get quite a few "he deserves it" comments but i truly don't think he does.
With some exceptions, the system makes the leader rather than the leader making the system.