Report: Suleiman, VP under Mubarak, dies

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CAIRO, July 19 (UPI) -- Omar Suleiman, vice president under ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, has died in a U.S. hospital, Egypt's state-run media reported Thursday. He was 76.

Suleiman, who in recent months had lung and heart problems, became sicker recently, prompting a visit to a Cleveland hospital for some tests, the Egypt Independent reported.

Preparations have begun to transfer Suleiman's body back to Egypt as soon as possible, a military source told Al-Masry Al-Youm.

After leading General Intelligence Services for 18 years, Suleiman was appointed vice president by Mubarak as the former president struggled to stay in office last year. On Feb. 11, 2011, Suleiman announced Mubarak's resignation.

Suleiman was disqualified from the presidential race in April after he failed to collect the required number of signatures to be on the ballot. After his presidential bid failed, Suleiman went to the United Arab Emirates in June, where he was later joined by his daughters, the Independent said.

On Egypt Independent's Twitter page, some people cheered the news while other expressed condolences.