Hosni Mubarak rumored to be close to death

According to recent reports in the Arab media, ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's medical condition has seriously deteriorated and the 82-year-old has been rumored to be in a coma or even close to death. On Sunday, the Egyptian daily al-Masry al-Youm reported that Mubarak fell into a coma on Saturday, following his final speech in which he handed over his authority to former Vice-President Omar Suleiman.

On Tuesday morning, the London-based pan Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat reported that Mubarak is in very grave medical condition, Haaretz reports.

Locals claim his guards have told them that he is currently bedbound and unable to walk unaided.

'Mubarak is very sick - they say he has cancer,' a teacher called Ahmed told the Telegraph.

Sameh Shoukry, Egypt's ambassador to the U.S., added some substance to the rumours yesterday but refused to be drawn on the details.

He told NBC's Today show that he 'might have received some communication at a personal level indicating that (Mubarak) is possibly in somewhat of bad health', Daily Mail informs.