The General Command of the Egyptian Armed Forces mourned in a statement on Tuesday the death of former Defence Minister Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawy, who passed away earlier today at the age of 85.

"The General Command of the Egyptian Armed Forces mourns the death of Field Marshal Tantawy, one of its sons and one of the commanders of the glorious October War, who passed away today," a statement said.

It also extended its sincere condolences to his family and the officers of the Armed Forces, praying for his peaceful rest.