LBCI

REPORT: Leading Arab journalist Mohamed Hassanein Heikal dies at 92

Bassam Abou Zeid

Author: Bassam Abou Zeid

Breaking Headlines

17-02-2016 | 07:03

Share

Share

REPORT: Leading Arab journalist Mohamed Hassanein Heikal dies at 92

2^min

Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, the Arab world's best known political commentator, died on Wednesday at age 92, Egyptian state television reported.

The leading Egyptian journalist rose to prominence as editor in chief of Egypt's Al-Ahram, widely regarded as the newspaper of record in the Arab world during his tenure.

Heikal was a close associate of President Gamal Abdel Nasser, one of the army officers who overthrew the British-backed monarchy in 1952, and his insight into regional affairs was highly respected by many Arab leaders.

Heikal's daily columns often offered the best clues on the thinking of Nasser, a charismatic figure who challenged the West and was a champion of pan-Arab nationalism. He served as a minister of national guidance under Nasser.

After Nasser's death in 1970, Heikal played a key role in ensuring that his successor Anwar Sadat consolidated power as president, advising him to push out Nasser loyalists.

Heikal later fell out with Sadat after Al-Ahram criticized the president. He was arrested along with hundreds of other figures seen as a threat to Sadat's policies, including the 1979 peace treaty with Israel and economic liberalization.

He was released after President Hosni Mubarak came to power following Sadat's assassination by Islamist militants in 1981.

Heikal kept a low profile abroad until the 2000s, when he returned to Egypt and became a regular commentator, hosting his own television program and resuming his well-known columns.

REUTERS

For more details, watch the full report in the video above

Breaking Headlines

Arab

Egypt

Next

A patient at Notre Dame De Liban Hospital - Jounieh urgently needs A+ blood type, to donate please call: 70 281 616

Recommended For You

A patient at Notre Dame De Liban Hospital - Jounieh urgently needs A+ blood type, to donate please call: 70 281 616

Breaking Headlines

2026-06-22

A patient at Notre Dame De Liban Hospital - Jounieh urgently needs A+ blood type, to donate please call: 70 281 616

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

South Korea says verifying reports of attack on vessel in Strait of Hormuz

2026-05-04

South Korea says verifying reports of attack on vessel in Strait of Hormuz

Iran urges Afghanistan, Pakistan to 'refrain' from escalatory actions

Middle East News

2026-02-27

Iran urges Afghanistan, Pakistan to 'refrain' from escalatory actions

Rubio says Iran's Islamic Republic 'weaker' than ever

2026-01-28

Rubio says Iran's Islamic Republic 'weaker' than ever

117 Iranians flown out of Beirut on Russian aircraft: LBCI sources

2026-03-08

117 Iranians flown out of Beirut on Russian aircraft: LBCI sources

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Health Ministry: Seven killed, including three children and two women, in Israeli strike on Ansar

1

Health Ministry: Seven killed, including three children and two women, in Israeli strike on Ansar

Hezbollah blames Netanyahu for escalation after strikes kill 11 in south Lebanon

2

Hezbollah blames Netanyahu for escalation after strikes kill 11 in south Lebanon

Israel wants 'more serious' talks with Lebanon: AFP

3

Israel wants 'more serious' talks with Lebanon: AFP

Israel says Lebanon strikes a response to Hezbollah ceasefire violation

4

Israel says Lebanon strikes a response to Hezbollah ceasefire violation

Deadly dawn in south Lebanon: 11 killed in Israeli strikes on Ansar and Deir el-Zahrani

5

Deadly dawn in south Lebanon: 11 killed in Israeli strikes on Ansar and Deir el-Zahrani

Health Ministry: 11 killed, 19 wounded in Israeli strikes on Deir el-Zahrani and Ansar

6

Health Ministry: 11 killed, 19 wounded in Israeli strikes on Deir el-Zahrani and Ansar

Six killed, two injured in airstrike in southern Lebanon as displacement reported in Nabatieh

7

Six killed, two injured in airstrike in southern Lebanon as displacement reported in Nabatieh

Speaker Berri: Israel disregards agreements as attacks in southern Lebanon continue

8

Speaker Berri: Israel disregards agreements as attacks in southern Lebanon continue

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More