Egypt’s Ex-President Mubarak Getting Ready for Rare Appearance

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak seen at a court in Cairo in December 2018. (Reuters)
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak seen at a court in Cairo in December 2018. (Reuters)
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Egypt’s Ex-President Mubarak Getting Ready for Rare Appearance

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak seen at a court in Cairo in December 2018. (Reuters)
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak seen at a court in Cairo in December 2018. (Reuters)

Preparing the ground for a rare appearance by former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, his eldest son, Alaa, said on Monday that his father “would soon speak about some events that took place in the October 1973 war.”

Since he was toppled during the January 25, 2011 revolution, Mubarak has made very few public appearances and media statements. Among them was an interview with Kuwait’s al-Watan newspaper during which he spoke about his memories of the Gulf war.

In a Twitter post Monday, Alaa said his father, who ruled Egypt for almost 30 years, would speak for the first time since he was ousted from power. On the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, he will open up about his memories of the conflict, in which he participated as an Air Force Commander.

Mubarak, 91, and his two sons were sentenced by an Egyptian court for embezzling millions of dollars of state funds over the course of a decade.

The ruling deprives the former president from being decorated with medals or from having a state military funeral.

Alaa said the interview will air on Tuesday at 8:30pm Cairo time, providing a YouTube link where it can be accessed.

The 1973 Arab–Israeli War, also known as the Yom Kippur War, was a conflict fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, by a coalition of Arab states, led by Egypt and Syria, against Israel.

Egyptian television anchor Ahmad Sayyed had announced in March that he would release an interview with Mubarak on the “Masr Hayat” channel. However, he later apologized from broadcasting it, citing “technical conditions beyond his control."



International Reaction to Gaza Ceasefire Deal

 Palestinians react to news on a ceasefire deal with Israel, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, January 15, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinians react to news on a ceasefire deal with Israel, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, January 15, 2025. (Reuters)
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International Reaction to Gaza Ceasefire Deal

 Palestinians react to news on a ceasefire deal with Israel, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, January 15, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinians react to news on a ceasefire deal with Israel, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, January 15, 2025. (Reuters)

Negotiators reached a phased ceasefire deal on Wednesday in the war in Gaza between Israel and the Hamas group, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters. Here is some reaction to the deal, which has not yet been formally announced.

US PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP

"We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!" he said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven," Trump said in a second post.

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN

He told reporters in Ankara the ceasefire deal was an important step for regional stability. Fidan also said Turkish efforts for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would continue.

ALEXANDER DE CROO, BELGIUM'S PRIME MINISTER

“After too many months of conflict, we feel tremendous relief for the hostages, for their families and for the people of Gaza.

Let’s hope this ceasefire will put an end to the fighting and mark the beginning of a sustained peace. Belgium stands ready to help.”