Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak took ill on Wednesday while delivering a speech in parliament.
During the televised speech the 75-year-old president started stuttering, sneezing, mopping sweat from his brow and he seemed to lose his balance. His bodyguards immediately rushed to his side and walked him outside the assembly hall.
Mubarak reentered the hall 45 minutes later and spoke for another five minutes.
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Egyptian Minister of Health ‘Aw’d Taj told reporters Mubarak had a “minor weakness” and that the president is in good health, according to the Egyptian daily Al-Gumhouriyya.
The Egyptian Ministry of Information was also quick to dispel any rumors of Mubarak’s possible deteriorating health. His poor condition was attributed to a bout of flu, as well as his fasting for the month of Rama’dan. He was advised to rest and cut down on his rigorous schedule but he declined.
Mubarak has been the Egyptian premier for 22 years, since former president Anwar Sadat was assassinated.
Mubarak has no deputy, and this sudden illness, whether serious or not, will raise speculation as to the issue of his succession. His son, Gamal Mubarak, is currently in charge of policies in the National Democratic Party and some say he is next in line.