Egypt’s former spy chief Omar Suleiman’s funeral was attended by thousands

Omar Suleiman

Military funeral of Egypt’s former intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman took place today, on Saturday, 21 July 2012, in Cairo amid strong military and security presence and were attended by thousands of people.

Suleiman’s body arrived at Cairo International airport on Saturday morning amid tight security measures. The members of Suleiman’s family and some prominent figures were present to receive the body of the former spy chief. Dozens of supporters of Omar Suleiman gathered near the airport wearing black clothes, mourning and chanting the collective prayers.

Omar Suleiman's funeral

Then the body of ex-intelligence head was transported to the Al Rashdan Mosque located in Cairo’s Nasr city district where the ceremony began with funeral prayers. Al Rashdan Mosque which was built by army, was heavily secured by Central Security Forces (CSF) and military police. Following prayers the coffin of Omar Suleiman, wrapped with Egyptian flag, was moved through the streets of the district on a horse-drawn carriage. It was accompanied by security forces, presidential guard and military police, and with the marching band as well. The coffin with Suleiman’s body was transported to Medinet Nasr Cemetery for burial.

Mohamed Morsy meets SCAF ahead of Omar Suleiman’s funeral

Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsy holds meeting with SCAF’s head Field Marshal Hussein Tantawy and with other official figures from country’s military council. This meeting was planned for Saturday morning, right before the official military funeral of Egypt’s former spy chief and very controversial figure Omar Suleiman who died recently in US undergoing medical treatment.

Mohamed Morsy planned to host the SCAF representatives in his presidential palace, and according to Morsy’s acting spokesperson all the officials meeting with Egypt’s president today will attend later the official funeral ceremony. As this meeting was closed and wasn’t announced beforehand, there are no details disclosed about what was discussed during it.

Omar Suleiman's funeral to be held on Saturday

Omar Suleiman

The funeral for Egypt's long time intelligence chief Omar Suleiman will be held tomorrow, on Saturday, according to his former aide Hussein Kamal.

Earlier the news sources reported that former spy chief's funeral will be held on Friday, right after the arrival of Suleiman's body from USA, where he died undergoing medical treatment in a hospital. 

According to the military sources Omar Suleiman's body will be trasported to Egypt from USA on a special military aircraft, and the military funeral will be held on 21 July 2012 on Saturday and will also be followed by a wake on Sunday, which will take place at the Al-Rashdan Mosque in Nasr City disctrict of Cairo. According to previous information Omar Suleiman's funeral will be attended by Egypt's President Mohamed Morsy and the high officials, the representatives of SCAF, Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists as well.

Omar Suleiman died suddenly at the age of 76 in US Cleveland hospital during making medical tests. After his disqualification from presidential race Omar Suleiman traveled to UAE with his family, but his health deteriorated, so he went to Germany and later to USA for medical treatment. His former aide reports the former spy chief's health was not stable, but he felt himself relatively normal, so this death was unexpected and sudden. Egypt's Embassy's sources report Omar Suleiman suffered of blood disease, while earlier it was stated by Suleiman's aide that he had lung disease and cardiac problems, so the reports about the reasons of his death are conflicting. It became known today that US clinic report which was released on Friday stated Omar Suleiman died of a rare disease affecting his kidneys and heart.

Egypt’s former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman died in US

Omar Suleiman

Egypt’s former intelligence chief and Hosni Mubarak’s top lieutenant Omar Suleiman who briefly served as Mubarak’s vice-president during the times of January 25 Revolution in 2011 died early on Thursday on 19 July 2012 in US hospital while undergoing medical tests. The reports about his death are controversial, as the representatives on Egyptian embassy in USA in Washington say Omar Suleiman died of blood disease, while MENA (Middle East News Agency) reports he was suffered lung disease and consequent heart problems.

After disqualification from presidential race this year Omar Suleiman and his family initially traveled to Dubai (UAE), but former intelligence chief’s health conditions deteriorated, he suffered from lung and cardiac problems and headed then to Germany and later to USA for medical treatment. Omar Suleiman died suddenly making medical tests in the Cleveland clinic in US. He was 76 years old.