The former head of Egypt’s Radio and Television Union (ERTU) Safaa Hegazy died on Sunday at 56 after a long struggle with illness.

Hegazy's funeral procession was held at El-Sayeda Nafeesah Mosque in Cairo, and attended by a number of top state and media officials.

Hegazy graduated from the Faculty of Commerce at Mansoura University in 1984.

She came to prominence by hosting the Bayt Al-Arab (The Arab House) programme on state TV for 12 years.

Hegazy served as head of the ERTU from April-December 2016.

During her career as a state TV anchor, she interviewed many Arab heads of state and politicians, and covered Arab League news and summits.

Hegazy also co-anchored the 9pm news bulletin for 17 years before heading the news department at state TV.  

A number of state officials and institutions offered condolences after Hegazi’s death on Sunday, including the Egyptian president, the cabinet, the Ministry of Culture, Al-Azhar and the National Media Council.

The Egyptian Radio and Television Union has been the public broadcaster operated by the government since the 1960s.

Source: Ahram online