Omar Suleiman (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Omar Mahmoud Suleiman
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عمر محمود سليمان
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Suleiman in 2007
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| Vice President of Egypt | |
| In office 29 January 2011 – 11 February 2011 |
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| President | Hosni Mubarak |
| Preceded by | Hosni Mubarak (1981) |
| Succeeded by | Mahmoud Mekki |
| Director of the General Intelligence Directorate | |
| In office 22 January 1991 – 31 January 2011 |
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| President | Hosni Mubarak |
| Preceded by | Nour El Dien Afeefy |
| Succeeded by | Murad Muwafi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 July 1936 Qena, Egypt |
| Died | 19 July 2012 (aged 76) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent |
| Alma mater | Egyptian Military Academy M. V. Frunze Military Academy Ain Shams University Cairo University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Egypt |
| Branch/service | Army |
| Years of service | 1956–1991 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Battles/wars | North Yemen Civil War Six-Day War War of Attrition October War |
Omar Mahmoud Suleiman (born July 2, 1936 – died July 19, 2012) was an important figure in Egypt. He was an army general, a politician, and a top intelligence officer. For many years, he was a key leader in Egypt's intelligence system.
In 2011, during a time of big changes in Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak named Suleiman as the Vice President of Egypt. This position had been empty for a long time. However, Suleiman was only vice president for a short time. On February 11, 2011, he announced that President Mubarak had resigned. After this, Suleiman stepped away from public life.
Many people in Egypt who were part of the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 wanted new elections. Some people saw Suleiman as being too much like the old government. However, others thought he could help keep things stable in the country.
Suleiman passed away on July 19, 2012, at the age of 76. He died in Cleveland, Ohio, due to health problems.
Contents
Omar Suleiman: A Look at His Life
Early Life and Education
Omar Suleiman was born in a place called Qena in Upper Egypt. He grew up in Cairo. He went to the famous Egyptian Military Academy there. He also received more military training in the Soviet Union at the Frunze Military Academy.
Suleiman fought in important wars for Egypt. These included the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War (also called the October War). In the mid-1980s, he earned more degrees. He studied political science at Ain Shams University and Cairo University. He spoke English very well. Because of this, he started working in military intelligence. He helped with relations between Egypt and the United States.
His Career in Intelligence
Suleiman became a deputy head of military intelligence in 1986. Two years later, in 1988, he became its director. In 1993, he took charge of the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate (EGIS). This is Egypt's main spy agency.
In 1995, Suleiman made sure President Mubarak used an armored car during a trip to Ethiopia. This was a very good idea. Someone tried to attack the car, but Mubarak was safe because of the extra protection. For many years, the name of Egypt's intelligence chief was a secret. But around 2000, Suleiman's name became known to the public.
Newspapers called him "one of the world's most powerful spy chiefs." In 2009, a magazine named him the most powerful intelligence chief in the Middle East.
What Was the "Rendition" Program?
Omar Suleiman was involved in a program with the United States called "rendition." This program allowed people suspected of certain activities to be sent to Egypt for questioning. Critics of the program said that the way prisoners were treated was not fair. Suleiman's agency was supposed to promise that prisoners would be treated well. However, some people said these promises were not always kept.
One case involved a person named Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi. He was captured and sent to Egypt. Information he gave was later used by U.S. officials. This information was about a possible link between Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda. However, al-Libi later said that the information he gave was not true.
His Role in Egyptian Politics
Suleiman was a very close and trusted friend of former President Hosni Mubarak. They agreed on many important topics. Even though Suleiman was a military man, he often wore suits instead of uniforms. He was seen as a key link between Egypt's political and military leaders.
Some people thought Suleiman might become the next president after Mubarak. This was because he played a big role in the region. Also, there wasn't another clear choice that Mubarak would accept. However, Suleiman said he did not plan to run for president.
On January 29, 2011, during a time of protests, he was named Vice President of Egypt. This was the first time someone held this position in nearly 30 years. He officially took the oath of office two days later.
There were reports of an attempt to harm Omar Suleiman in February 2011. An official later confirmed that Suleiman had survived an attack on his car.
On February 10, 2011, President Mubarak gave his powers to Suleiman. This meant Suleiman became the acting leader of Egypt. The very next day, Suleiman announced that Mubarak had resigned. Power then went to the Armed Forces Supreme Council. After this, Suleiman was no longer the Vice President.
In April 2012, Suleiman announced that he would run for president. He said he had received threats if he ran. He also accused a group called the Muslim Brotherhood of planning the earlier attack on him.
His Final Years
Omar Suleiman passed away on July 19, 2012. He was in a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, for medical tests. The official news agency in Egypt said he had been having heart and lung problems. They reported he died from a heart attack. One of his helpers said it was very sudden and unexpected.
His body was sent back to Egypt for burial. He received a military funeral. Important leaders, like Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, attended the ceremony.
Images for kids
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This image shows routes related to the "rendition" program.
See also
In Spanish: Omar Suleiman para niños
