The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayyeb mourned the death of former defence minister Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawy on Tuesday, saying that “he departed [from this world] after a long journey marked by generosity and patriotism in which he contributed to Egypt’s heroics and glory.”

In a statement, Al-Tayyeb said “Tantawy was a military leader of a unique calibre who stood tall while confronting the enemies of the homeland at a critical time, guiding the ship to a safe harbour.”

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced on Tuesday that Egypt has declared a state of national mourning for the death of Field Marshal Tantawy.

Earlier today, the Egyptian Presidency mourned in a statement the death of the former defence minister.

"Egypt lost Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawy, the former general commander of the Armed Forces and minister of defence and military production, who was one of its most loyal sons and a military symbol who had served his country for more than 50 years," read a presidential statement.

"Tantawy was one of the heroes of the glorious October War, who contributed to the making of the greatest heroics ... and a statesman who ran the country in a most difficult time, confronting with wisdom the dangers that surrounded Egypt," the statement added.