Former Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri died on Wednesday at the age of 88.
Ganzouri served as prime minister during the tenure of late President Hosni Mubarak and was appointed by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) for the same position to lead a transitional government after the January 25 Revolution.
"Egypt today lost a unique statesman," President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said in his eulogy to Ganzouri.
"He was a righteous person in Egypt, loyal to its territories and its people,” the president said, hailing the former premier’s vision, excellent leadership skills, and good manners.
“Ganzouri was devout, honest, and loyal in fateful and decisive stages of this homeland's history,” he continued.
The cabinet also hailed the late politician’s patriotic role in serving the government for many years, including during two premierships, and described him as a role model.
Ganzouri had used his long experience, especially in economics, for the benefit of his country, the cabinet added.
He was born in 1933 in Bagour city in Menoufia governorate. An economist by training, he earned a Ph.D. from Michigan State University.
He served as the deputy prime minister to Mubarak from 1986 until 1996 and then became prime minister from 1996 to 1999.
He served in the role for less than a year, resigning from the post in June 2012 after the election of Mohamed Morsi as a president.
Ganzouri started the Toshka project but was faced with criticism. In his diary published in 2014, he accused officials, including Mubarak, of hindering the completion of the project.
