Official: Egypt's Mubarak in critical condition

[EFerrari]

Source: AP

CAIRO (AP) — Hosni Mubarak is slipping in and out of consciousness eight days after the ousted Egyptian leader was sent to prison to begin serving a life sentence, a security official said on Sunday.

With rumors of the former president's death spreading rapidly, authorities granted his wife, former first lady Suzanne Mubarak, and the couple's two daughters-in-law special permission to visit him in Cairo's Torah prison early that morning.

"The former president's health is in decline, but now it's stable in its deteriorated state," the official said. Since his wife's visit, Mubarak has suffered from an irregular heartbeat and required assistance in breathing.

The official told The Associated Press that the former president now lives only on liquids and yogurt. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gnQTw3Y0XUYS1IlxiR6qLBGTpk3w?docId=86b42558b5674b80b11167396ad223f1

[may3rd]

1. perhaps it's time for a humanitarian gesture

I think the Lockerbe alleged bomber finally cashed in his chips when the Libyan medical supply ran short.
I could be wrong. He may be still going

[MADem]

2. He's nearing the end, and that is probably just as well.

An unfortunate and ignominious finish for Anwar Sadat's valued Number Two, his buddy in the Air Force Academy, and lifelong pal.

I would not be surprised if Mubarak's seeing his best friend murdered before his eyes, and getting wounded himself, influenced his governing style for the worse.

It coulda been a different ending. He had the clout and the moment in history.

Oh well--such is life. And beyond...

[Misskittycat]

3. "Torah" prison? Odd choice of name for an Egyptian prison. n/t

[rayofreason]

4. Shortest life sentence award.

Actually, it is kind of humane in a way to pass quickly after a long life (he is 84) rather than rot in jail.

While it is true that he had to go, that he was corrupt, etc., he did not pull an Assad. He might have been able to pull together a core of the Army and the 1000 or so rich families who became rich because of the corrupt system and hang on to power by slaughtering people on the Syrian scale. For recognizing that the gig was up, and not trying to hang on through massive violence and terror, I'll give him one thumb up.

Of course, no good deed goes unpunished. And what has emerged in Egypt is much more in line with the attitudes of people on the street. And that is the problem. Misogynistic, fundamentalist, conspiracy-minded, tribal (not trusting beyond family) - the attitudes of average Egyptians were on display when that group of thugs attacked the women protesting sexual violence and harassment, which is endemic in Egypt. Cultures change slowly and that one has a long way to go. One indicator of progress would be a reduction of the FGM rate from 90% to 50%.

And I fully expect the MB candidate to win the runoff and complete the Islamist takeover of the government.

So, yes, Mubarak was a bad dude and he had to go. Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.

[EFerrari]

5. I'd bet on the junta's candidate.

He used to be in Mubarak's cabinet, maybe the PM. The MB aren't aggressive enough to challenge the theft of the election with any force.

[rayofreason]

6. Perhaps...

...but I think that the only reason the MB would let Shafik win/steal the election is that they know Egypt will be in crisis by the fall as their foreign exchange dries up and food imports begin to falter - in a country that imports 1/2 of its food consumption, especially wheat. They could use the crisis to create a revolutionary situation, discredit the military (They are the President!!) and implement Sharia. But maybe the MB is not that smart and will go for broke on the 17th.

And for what it is worth, expats are voting for Mursi.

http://gulfnews.com/news/region/egypt/egyptians-in-uae-pick-mursi-as-president-1.1034180

[EFerrari]

7. I may be wrong but the MB is not in a position to "let" SCAF do anything.

They are in the position to make some noise and to fillibuster, but that's about it.

[Eugene]

8. Egypt's Mubarak Deteriorates Further

Source: Associated Press

Egypt's Mubarak Deteriorates Further

The Associated Press
Date: Monday Jun. 11, 2012 8:41 AM ET

CAIRO — Egyptian security officials say the health of ousted President Hosni Mubarak has deteriorated further, with doctors having to use a defibrillator twice and feed him liquids intravenously.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/World/20120611/egypts-hosni-mubarak-health-deteriorates-further-120611/