Mubarak Has Reportedly "Given Up," Wants to Die in Egypt

In this CBS News exclusive photo, former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is thought to be the man waiving before leaving Cairo by helicopter for Sharm el-Sheikh on Feb. 11, 2011

/ CBS

An anonymous source in Saudi Arabia's government has reportedly said that ailing ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak "has given up and wants to die" in the resort city he fled to last week.

Complete Coverage: Egypt - The Road Ahead

Mubarak reportedly left Cairo for the luxurious city of Sharm el-Sheikh sometime after addressing Egyptians on state television Thursday, telling them he had transferred his authority to his recently appointed vice president, Omar Suleiman. On Friday, after protesters rallied in anger against the leader's refusal to step down, Suleiman announced that Mubarak had resigned.

Reports have since surfaced that Mubarak is in ailing health.

"He is not dead but is not doing well at all and refuses to leave," the Saudi official told the Reuters news agency about Mubarak. "Basically, he has given up and wants to die in Sharm."

The official asked Reuters not to be named in its article.

Another unnamed source "with links to the Mubarak family" said, however, that Mubarak was "fine" and was even making phone calls, Reuters reported.

The Saudi official also told Reuters that the kingdom had reached out to Mubarak and offered to let him live in the neighboring Middle Eastern country in exile like recently ousted Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. Reuters reported it could not confirm that offer with the Saudi government.

It's another twist in the mysterious tale of what the 30-year ruler has been up to after being chased from power. So far, Mubarak has been reported to be in a coma and on his deathbed in a German hospital.

[1pheasant1]

I'm not buying it! If he wanted to die in Egypt he would have refused to give up power. He relinquished his power so he could stay alive.

[slimbailey]

Put him in a pyramid like the rest of the mummies.

[fantomas4]

Good riddance, Mubarak. Die like the dog you are. Maybe now you can have a small taste of what your own people had to endure for the past 3 decades.

[formrusmcsgt]

"Basically, he has given up and wants to die in Sharm."
---
Let him.

[dantt-2009]

Good luck arresting a whole mob. You know attacks against western female journalist probably happen a lot overseas- not just in the middle east,(also a lot of western female tourists), they are just not reported...

[fedup12]

After what those animals did to Lara Logan they all deserve to die in Egypt.

I say we let em.

[rwsmith29456]

If he is in that kind of bad shape it's better that he's out of office anyway.

[levelheadedtoo]

I am all in favor of a total boycott on everything Egypt inbound and outbound until the military government arrest and convict all those responsible for the attack on reporter Lara Logan. The religion called muslim that makes big claims of respecting women sure proved just how they really are. Americans should not visit a country that will not hunt down criminals that will repeatedly attack a defenseless woman. Pass it on!

[daffy64]

Yeah. Women NEVER get attacked, shot, or brain damaged in the US. In fact...oops. Wait a minute...

[1pheasant1]

You should make sure the bubble is between the lines before you type!

[desnerpinky]

This is a useless piece. Spreading rumor is not journalism instead it is a disgrace and exposes the dwindling credibility of the current cadre of so called reporters and and news media. CBS should fold and join False News.
Quoting unknown hearsay diminishes the integrity of this news company.

[big_log]

Sure. If by "die in Egypt" you mean "retire to South Beach". In two weeks he'll be wearing his Tommy Bahama, playing bridge at the retirement center and introducing himself to his new neighbors as "Larry Smith". First item on the agenda: have Ken Lay over for cocktails and caviar.