Egypt’s ex-military ruler Tantawi dies
Al Sissi organises military funeral and declares three days of mourning
Egypt’s former military ruler, Field Marshal Mohammad Hussain Tantawi, who governed for more than a year after the resignation of veteran president Hosni Mubarak in 2011, died in Cairo yesterday. He was 85.
President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi declared three days of mourning and led mourners at a military funeral for Tantawi in a mosque bearing his name in Cairo yesterday.
Tantawi, a decorated veteran of wars against Israel in 1967 and 1973, was defence minister for 21 years, covering most of Mubarak’s presidency.
He led the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces that ruled Egypt for a year-and-ahalf after Mubarak resigned.
Tantawi was sacked as defence minister in August 2012, a few weeks after Mohammad Mursi became president.
Tantawi then disappeared from view until Al Sissi took power following Mursi’s ouster in 2013 amid mass protests.
Military base in Cairo to be named after Tantawi
Tantawi was honoured by Al Sissi, appearing beside him at various public events. Al Sissi yesterday said a major military base in east Cairo would be named after Tantawi. He hailed Tantawi as “a statesman who took the responsibility of running the country during a very difficult period”.
Al Sissi also defended Tantawi’s time in power. “This man is innocent of any bloodshed... any of the things that took place during this period of conspiracy to bring down the state,” Al Sissi said in televised comments.
Tantawi, who was close to Mubarak, sought to project a more down-to-earth image after assuming power, being pictured chatting with passers-by near Tahrir Square. But many saw him as a continuity figure seeking to preserve the privileges of the military.