Mubarak-era Information Minister Safwat el Sherif died at age of 87 after a long struggle with leukemia.

His son, Ehab el Sherif, said his father has been suffering from leukemia for six years and his health condition deteriorated over the past few days.

He was transferred to hospital where he passed away, his son said, dismissing as groundless media reports that his father died of coronavirus.

The funeral will be held later on Thursday, his son said.

During the Mubarak era, El Sherif served as chairman of the State Information Service, head of the Supreme Press Council and secretary-general of the dissolved National Democratic Party.

MENA