Who's in charge in Cairo?

CAIRO, March 16 (UPI) -- Speculation over the Egyptian leadership is mounting as rumors circulate over the health and intentions of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Mubarak, 81, had surgery March 6 in Germany to have his gall bladder removed.

Mubarak, while in Germany, handed power to Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, who under Egyptian law is the next in line to the presidency.

Allegations have surfaced, however, that Lt. Gen. Omar Suleiman, who heads the Egyptian General Intelligence Service, is largely in control in Cairo, al-Arabiya reports Tuesday.

Al-Arabiya points to reports in the Egyptian independent daily al-Sharouk during the weekend that said Suleiman earned favor from Mubarak when he saved the president during an assassination attempt in 1998 in Ethiopia.

Egyptian Health Minister Hatem el-Gabaly said German officials transferred Mubarak out of an intensive care unit, adding the health of the president was "improving under the supervision of the medical team."

Mubarak, who has been president since 1981, has not stated his intentions for presidential elections scheduled in Egypt for 2011. It is believed his is grooming his 46-year-old son Gamal for the eventual presidency.