Former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak passed away on Tuesday in hospital at the age of 91, as announced by his son on Twitter. He ruled over Egypt for nearly 30 years before mass protests in 2011 forced him out of power. Around the Middle East and Gulf region, heads of state responded to Mubarak's death by sending their condolences and sympathies. The Mubarak administration was known to take on the mediator role during Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed “deep sorrow" about the passing of Mubarak, who he called a “personal friend.” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also expressed “great sadness and sorrow” and praised Mubarak for his support of the Palestinian people. The UAE announced they would lower flags to half mast to mourn Mubarak’s passing, with the Ministry of Presidential Affairs issuing statement of mourning. "Today, the Arab world has lost a prominent leader who devoted his life to the service of his country and the Arab world. Hosni Mubarak had a special relationship with the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and a strong bond with President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who together helped bolster ties between the two countries further," it said. The emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad, and the Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah both sent their condolences to Egypt’s current president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. They issued statements of mourning, saying “may God bless him with mercy and forgiveness.” Oman’s new sultan Haitham bin Tariq was among the state leaders who sent condolences to Mr Sisi I the wake of Mubarak’s death. Outside the Gulf region, Lebanese politician and leader of the Progressive Socialist Party Walid Joumblatt called Mubarak a “great friend of Lebanon” noting Mubarak’s support after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rakif Hariri and his assistance in pushing out Syrian regime forces of Lebanon.
