WASHINGTON (JTA) — Doctors reportedly have put deposed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on life support as turmoil again threatens to sweep the country he once led.
Mubarak, 84, has been ailing since early 2011, when he was ousted by the army after mass protests.
The worsening of his condition on Tuesday, reported by media citing unnamed military officials, comes two weeks after Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison for his role in ordering the deadly quelling of the 2011 protests, when hundreds were killed by pro-government militants.
Meanwhile, loyalists to both candidates in elections over the weekend to succeed Mubarak claimed victory.
One candidate, Ahmed Shafik, was Mubarak’s last prime minister and has the backing of the Egyptian military establishment. The other, Mohammed Morsi, is backed by the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.
Reports said Tahrir Square in Cairo was filling with protesters against a number of decisions by the courts and the interim military rulers that would curb the power of the new president and the parliament.
In recent days, violence has flared between Israel and the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by Hamas, an ally of the Muslim Brotherhood. At least one attack was launched from within Egypt, which shares a border with Israel and Gaza.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
