Egypt’s first post-Mubarak ruler, Hussein Tantawi, dies aged 85

Egypt’s former military ruler Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi has died aged 85, Egypt’s presidency said.

Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, former head of the military council that ruled Egypt temporarily after the 2011 uprising, has died at the age of 85, Egypt’s presidency said.

Tantawi, a decorated veteran of wars against Israel in 1956, 1967 and 1973, was a defence minister for nearly 21 years.

He led the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) that ruled Egypt for a year and a half after the removal of the long-term President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011.