EGYPT INDEPENDENT, FOREIGN POLICY, TWITTER
Omar Suleiman, former Egyptian Vice President and reviled chief of intelligence for ex-president Hosni Mubarak, died in an American hospital on Thursday. The Egypt Independent reports that 76-year-old Suleiman suffered from lung and cardiac problems, and that he'd flown to Cleveland, Ohio three weeks ago to undergo treatment.
On Twitter, there was little in the way of sympathy:
Omar Suleiman died while having medical tests in Cleveland. Most Egyptians can't afford to go to a crappy Egyptian public hospital.
— Sara Salem (@SaraMSalem) July 19, 2012
I care more about our future constitution than Omar Suleiman's death
— Youssef (@youssefsalah) July 19, 2012
Suleiman was a close ally to Mubarak, who was finally ousted from power by the popular Arab Spring uprising in February 2011. At the time, Suleiman was appointed vice-president and made a memorably short statement that brought Mubarak's 30-year authoritarian rule to an end. Suleiman later made a failed bid to run for president in Egypt's first free elections.
But Suleiman was most hated by many Egyptians for of his role, starting in 1993, as chief of intelligence. He was largely seen as the "spymaster" of the Egyptian regime, according to Foreign Policy Magazine.
Omar Suleiman ..I have no sympathy for his death
— Shaheera Mohamad (@ShaheeraMohamad) July 19, 2012
Suleiman was also remembered for his partnership with the CIA for the extraordinary rendition program, in which suspected Islamist militants or terrorists were handed over to Egyptian authorities for questioning and possible torture. Suleiman, a pillar of Mubarak's authoritarian regime, waged a ruthless war against Islamic militants.
Omar Suleiman once told a renditioned detainee that "even God" couldn't save him. God has now asked Suleiman to repeat what he said.
— BSyria (@BSyria) July 19, 2012
I think it's very appropriate if Omar Suleiman is burried in Gitmo. It's his real home not Egypt.
— Hossam عمو حسام (@3arabawy) July 19, 2012
Omar Suleiman once offered arm of Ayman al-Zawahiri's brother to CIA as DNA evidence (reposting tweet from April): abcnews.go.com/Blotter/egypt-…
— Sharif Kouddous (@sharifkouddous) July 19, 2012
Other reactions noted the proximity of Suleiman's death with the bombing in Syria on Wednesday that killed three top Syrian military officials who were equally feared by their countrymen.
In 24 hours: Omar Suleiman, dead. Syrian defense minister, dead. Assed Shawkat, dead.
— joseph dana (@ibnezra) July 19, 2012
Omar Suleiman died? And henceforth, this week in Arab history shall be known as the Week of Dying Arab Oppressors.
— Nader (@DarthNader) July 19, 2012
According to the Egypt Independent, Suleiman's body will be flown back to Egypt.
