Mubarak names vice president, death toll climbs to 62
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak named a vice president today for the first time since coming to power nearly 30 years ago, as officials said the death toll from disturbances in the country had reached at least 62.
The announcement was a clear step towards setting up a successor amid the biggest challenge ever to his rule from tens of thousands of anti-government protesters.
Mr Mubarak named his intelligence chief and close confidant Omar Suleiman, state television reported.
Mr Mubarak was widely seen as grooming his son Gamal to succeed him, possibly even as soon as in presidential elections planned for later this year. However, there was significant public opposition to the hereditary succession.
Mr Suleiman has been in charge of some of Egypt’s most sensitive foreign policy issues, including the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and inter-Palestinian divisions.
His appointment as vice president answers one of the most intriguing and most enduring political questions in Egypt: who would succeed 82-year-old Mr Mubarak?
Like Mr Mubarak, Mr Suleiman has a military background.
The powerful military has provided Egypt with its four presidents since the monarchy was toppled nearly 60 years ago.
Egyptian security officials said later that at least 62 people have been killed nationwide over the last two days of mass anti-government protests.
Another 2,000 have been injured in the demonstrations, which have included violent clashes between police and protesters.
They said the figures include injuries and deaths of both protesters and security forces.
