This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35595022

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Leading Egyptian journalist Mohamed Heikal dies aged 92 Leading Egyptian journalist Mohamed Heikal dies aged 92
(about 1 hour later)
One of the most famous and influential journalists in the Arab world, the Egyptian Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, has died in Cairo at the age of 92.One of the most famous and influential journalists in the Arab world, the Egyptian Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, has died in Cairo at the age of 92.
His name is most closely associated with nationalist Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser in the 1960s.His name is most closely associated with nationalist Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser in the 1960s.
Mr Heikal was the editor of Egypt's state-owned newspaper, Al-Ahram, during that time, articulating the Nasserist ideology of "Arab socialism".Mr Heikal was the editor of Egypt's state-owned newspaper, Al-Ahram, during that time, articulating the Nasserist ideology of "Arab socialism".
He also served as information minister and briefly as foreign minister.He also served as information minister and briefly as foreign minister.
Following Nasser's death in 1970, Mr Heikal was sidelined by his successor Anwar al-Sadat. And in 1981 he was jailed along with hundreds of government critics.Following Nasser's death in 1970, Mr Heikal was sidelined by his successor Anwar al-Sadat. And in 1981 he was jailed along with hundreds of government critics.
He was released by Hosni Mubarak after Sadat's assassination by Islamist militants later that year, but was kept at arm's length by the president throughout his 29 years in office.He was released by Hosni Mubarak after Sadat's assassination by Islamist militants later that year, but was kept at arm's length by the president throughout his 29 years in office.
But Mr Heikal remained for decades one of the most authoritative commentators on Egypt and the Arab world -- as well as a historian of the tumultuous events of the Nasser area. But Mr Heikal remained for decades one of the most authoritative commentators on Egypt and the Arab world - as well as a historian of the tumultuous events of the Nasser area.
Announcing Mr Heikal's death on Wednesday, Al-Ahram said he been ill for three weeks, and had suffered fluid on the lungs and kidney failure.Announcing Mr Heikal's death on Wednesday, Al-Ahram said he been ill for three weeks, and had suffered fluid on the lungs and kidney failure.
President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi paid tribute to Mr Heikal, calling him a "journalistic icon", while the cabinet said he had "massively participated in enriching intellectual life with his books, articles, political and historical studies", Egypt's ON TV Live reported.President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi paid tribute to Mr Heikal, calling him a "journalistic icon", while the cabinet said he had "massively participated in enriching intellectual life with his books, articles, political and historical studies", Egypt's ON TV Live reported.