Guide Note: Hosni Mubarak is the current President of Egypt. He has ruled this country since 1981. He is married to Suzanne Mubarak. Throughout his presidency he has maintained great relations with the United States, though currently the U.S. is wondering if they should start reducing the amount of aid that is given to Egypt. Though Mubarak has been essential in his role as mediator between the U.S. and the middle east, the billions of dollar in aid and forgiven debts supplied to him via the U.S. is currently being questioned. Questioned also are the cases of torture and brutality, and "disappearing" prisoners.
Early Life
- Joined the Egyptian Military Academy after finishing high school.
- Received Bachelor Degree in Military Science in 1949.
- Joined the Air Force Academy in 1950.
- Earned Bachelor Degree in Aviation Sciences.
- Appointed Commander of the Western Air Force Base at Cairo West Airfield in 1964.
- Promoted to Air Marshall in 1973.
Presidential Life
- Named Vice President in 1975
- Appointed Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 1978.
- Became President and NDP Chairman in 1981 following the assassination of then President Anwar Sadat.
- Has been elected for five successive years as President by majority vote in his country.
- Has survived numerous assassination attempts.
- Has been under the microscope recently for his "poor" human rights record.
- In 2007,was criticized for his lack of Egyptian Copts (christians) in governmental capacities.
- Recently extended Egypt's state of emergency, which the country has been living under since the assassination of Anwar Sadat.
Military and Civilian Decorations
- Decoration of the Nile
- Military Decoration for Courage of the First Order
- Decoration of Sciences and Arts of the First Order
- Memorial Decoration of Excellence of the First Order
- Decoration of Sports of the First Order
- Military Star Medal
- Order of the Star of Honor
- Military Decoration for Courage of the First Order
Fast Facts:
- Birth Date: May 4, 1928
- Birth Place: Kafr-El Meselha, Monufia Governorate
- Had a small part in the movie "Wadaa fel fagr" in 1956
- Accused of Torture of Activists
- Awarded the Armour of the “Man of Peace” in 1983
- Awarded "Personality of the Year" in 1984
- Was relieved of around $20 billion dollars of debt after Egypt's part in the Gulf War
