Confusion reigned in Egypt yesterday June 20 as former President Hosni Mubarak remained in a military hospital in Maadi south of the capital, Cairo with conflicting reports about his actual situation. The official news agency, Mena on Tuesday June 19 declared him clinically dead after he reportedly suffered a series of strokes in Tora Prison.
The BBC said the reports of clinical death were later denied by military sources yesterday. Meanwhile, State-run Channel One television yesterday began airing archival footage and pictures of Mubarak as a young military pilot, war hero and during his early days in office when he was popular.
According to France 24 television, access to the former president was restricted to his wife and a few personal guards while his sons were kept away. Mena reported that during Mubarak's latest crisis – that appears to be the most serious yet - his heart stopped beating until he was revived by defibrillation. Doctors are said to have used a defibrillator on him several times. The device delivers an electric shock to the heart to try to re-establish normal heartbeat.
There was heavy security outside Maadi Military Hospital where Hosni Mubarak is in intensive care. Since the 84-year-old was taken to Tora Prison Hospital after his conviction at the beginning of this month, there has been an increase in alerts about his health. Overnight on Tuesday, supporters and opponents gathered outside Maadi Hospital and began trading insults.
Observers say Mubarak’s ailing health is compounded by heightened tensions over the June 17, 2012 decision by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, SCAF granting itself sweeping powers before handing power over to civilians. Moreover, results of last weekend’s second round presidential election are expected today June 21.
However, the electoral commission has raised doubts about its ability to meet today’s deadline given what it said were the high number of petitions and complaints lodged by the two candidates. Both the Moslem Brotherhood’s Mohamed Mursi and Ahmed Shafiq, an independent, have claimed victory. There are fears that the state of Mubarak's health could also be used as distraction.
