Egypt’s former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, the urbane and shadowy power broker who enforced Hosni Mubaraks rule, has died in the United States of a heart attack. He was 76.
Gen Suleiman symbolised the autocratic, military-backed rule which dominated much of the Arab world for the last half-century or more, now being challenged by restive populations.
Nicknamed “the black box” for his role as one of Mubarak’s most trusted advisers, he was also a willing point man in the rendition of Egyptian fighters from Iraq and Afghanistan – in which the United States handed over prisoners to Egypt for interrogation.
Human rights groups said he was involved in the widespread torture of detainees. According to state news agency MENA, he died of a sudden heart attack yesterday after suffering heart and lung problems.
Egypt’s interim government paid tribute to Mr Suleiman, calling him a “patriotic, honest figure” in a statement carried by state news website Al-Ahram. – (Reuters)