Hosni Mubarak

Guide Note:

Hosni Mubarak is the current President of Egypt. He was appointed Vice-President in 1975, by President Anwar Al Sadat. He became Egypt's President upon the assignation of Sadat in October 1981. He's since been been the winner of four Presidential elections. Mubarak's presidency has been characterized by excellent diplomatic relations with the United States.

Mubarak was born on May 4, 1928 in the village of Kafr El-Meselha in Egypt's Al Monufiyah Governorate. His father was employed by the legal department of the province and owned a small plot of land. He had hoped to see his attend the Cairo University, Mubarak instead choose a military career.

Upon the completion of high school Mubarak entered the Egyptian Military Academy, in 1949 he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Military Science. He then attended the Egyptian Air Force Academy, earning an additional Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Sciences. In 1959, at age 31, he appointed a base commander and sent to Russia for flight training. In 1964 Mubarak returned to Russia as the leader of Egypt's military delegation. In 1973 he was promoted to Commander of the Egpytian Air Force and appointed as a Deputy Defense Minister.

In 1975 Anwar Sadat appointed Mubarak to be his Vice President. In 1978 he was appointed to the position of Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP). After the assassination of Sadat in 1981 Mubarak became President and Chairman of the NDP. He has since been re-elected President in five successive elections.

In the course of his Presidency Mubarak has survived numerous assassination attempts. In 2007 his administration was criticized for the lack of Egyptian Copts (Christians) in governmental capacities. Mubark recently extended Egypt's state of emergency, which has been in affect since the the assassination of Anwar Sadat.

Recently Egypt's "poor" human rights record has been dead center in the spotlight of international opinion. In the United States the massive amounts of humanitarian and military aid given to Egypt has come into question in both houses of Congress. Also being questioned are documented cases of torture, brutality, and "disappearing" prisoners.

Fast Facts

1. Birth Date: May 4, 1928
2. Birth Place: Kafr-El Meselha, Monufia Governorate
3. He is married to Suzanne Mubarak
4. Had a small part in the movie "Wadaa fel fagr" in 1956
5. Accused of Torture of Activists
6. Awarded the Armour of the “Man of Peace” in 1983
7. Awarded "Personality of the Year" in 1984
8. Was relieved of around $20 billion dollars of debt after Egypt's part in the Gulf War

Military & Civilian Decorations

1. Decoration of the Nile
2. Military Decoration for Courage of the First Order
3. Decoration of Sciences and Arts of the First Order
4. Memorial Decoration of Excellence of the First Order
5. Decoration of Sports of the First Order
6. Military Star Medal
7. Order of the Star of Honor
8. Military Decoration for Courage of the First Order