Egypt's Minister of State for Military Production Mohamed El-Assar passed away at 74 on Monday , the Egyptian presidency announced. "Egypt has lost one of its unique military icons… a fighter who gave his life to serve his homeland and a wise man who took part in running the country during a difficult period," the presidency said. El-Assar was a member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces during the 2011 Revolution, when the army sided with the Egyptians' demand to oust Hosni Mubarak. He was named the military production minister in 2015. In late June, El-Sisi promoted El-Assar to the honorary rank of lieutenant-general, and bestowed upon him the Nile sash. The presidential statement added that President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi expressed condolences in his name and on behalf of the Egyptian people and government. A few minutes later, the president's official social media accounts said El-Assar was a unique statesman and spared no effort for his homeland. The president added that El-Assar was always at the forefront of Egypt's men who defended it in critical moments of its history The Amed Forces mourned the death of El-Assar, offering condolences to his family. Egyptian cabinet said he did his best to serve his country in every field he worked in and in every position he occupied.
