Former Egyptian spy chief Suleiman laid to rest in Cairo

Cairo (CNN) -- The funeral Omar Suleiman, Egypt's former spy chief, took place amid security Saturday, attended by several thousand mourners, politicians, religious scholars and military leaders.

Suleiman succumbed Thursday to complications amyloidosis, a disease that affects multiple organs, the heart and kidneys, according to the Cleveland Clinic in United States, where the 76-year-old died.

Suleiman's body, flown by private jet the United States, arrived at the VIP terminal the Cairo Airport at dawn Saturday. Several dozen supporters wearing black T-shirts waited the terminal carrying the Egyptian flag. They chanted slogans denouncing Israel and the United States.

The ceremony coincided the second day of Ramadan. The military funeral began prayers at the Al Rashadan mosque in Nasr City eastern Cairo.

Suleiman's coffin, wrapped the Egyptian flag, was borne a horse-drawn carriage through the streets, accompanied a marching band to the Madinet Nasr Cemetery.

Military police wearing red berets carried his coffin screaming mourners carrying posters of Suleiman and chanting denouncements the newly elected president, Mohamed Morsy, and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Morsy six months behind during Suleiman's tenure as head of intelligence.

Morsy delegated his grand chamberlain and Brig. Gen. Abdul-Monem Foda his representatives.

Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa and delegation from Al-Azhar, Egypt's highest Islamic institution, were present, as were Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), and his chief of , Sami Anan.

Suleiman was briefly appointed vice president President Hosni Mubarak during the uprising that toppled the longtime Egyptian leader last year. It was Suleiman , in February 2011, announced Mubarak's resignation and declared that SCAF would the country's affairs.

Suleiman's death came as a to Egyptians. He had entered the race Egypt's first democratically elected president in the eleventh , but failed to gather enough signatures to be the ballot.

He was disqualified a panel that included members connected the Mubarak regime, suggesting the move was not politically motivated.

Suleiman had headed Egypt's intelligence since 1993, maintained close with the CIA, and was often criticized by human rights for his heavy-handed approach suspected militants.

Born poverty in the town of Qena, he enrolled in Egypt's prestigious military academy and decorated for his performance in the wars Israel in 1967 and 1973.

In June 1995, Suleiman and Mubarak survived an assassination attempt an African summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Suleiman was credited saving Mubarak's life that day.

A divisive figure in Mubarak's regime, during the revolution Suleiman led negotiations various pro-change groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood. His stance was mainly end the "Million Man" protest in Tahrir Square and create a "reform" package or face a military coup.

When asked by a CNN correspondent he wanted from the protesters during the 18-day uprising that toppled Mubarak, he replied, "Go home."

an interview with a Western news channel last year, Suleiman remarked, "Egyptians are not ready democracy."


Adapted from: CNN, July 22, 2012.