Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his “deep sorrow” over the death of former long-time Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, who passed away on Tuesday in Cairo at the age of 91.
“President Mubarak, my personal friend, was a leader who led his people to peace and security, to peace with Israel. I met with him many times. I was impressed by his commitment; we will continue to follow this common path,” said Netanyahu in a statement.
“I would like to send condolences” to Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and “to the Mubarak family and to the Egyptian people,” he said.
Mubarak led Egypt for almost 30 years before being toppled by an Arab uprising in 2011. He kept Islamic radicals at bay and maintained the peace with Israel.
Egyptian state television said Mubarak died at a hospital in Cairo after undergoing surgery, the AP reported.
Following news of Mubarak’s death, el-Sisi announced a three days of national mourning starting on Wednesday, and said in a statement: “The Presidency mourns with great sorrow the former President of the Republic, Mr. Mohammed Hosni Mubarak.”
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the United Arab Emirates also released statements of condolences, according to the report.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin sent a letter of condolence to el-Sisi, in which he wrote: “On behalf of the State of Israel and personally, I would like to extend my deepest condolences on the passing of President Hosni Mubarak to you, to Madame Suzanne Mubarak and their sons, and to the people of Egypt,” according to Ynet.
