Renowned Egyptian journalist Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, one of the Arab World's most prominent commentators, died Wednesday in Cairo at the age of 92, Ahram Online reported .
The veteran reporter and prolific writer who authored more than 10 translated books was one of the most well-known and influential thinkers in Egypt and the Arab World, as well as on the international stage.
He was widely considered a leading expert in the political, social and cultural affairs of Egypt, the Middle East and the Arab World for more than 50 years.
He rose to prominence when he became the editor-in-chief of the famous Egyptian daily Al-Ahram in 1957, a position he held for 17 years in addition to being the chairman of the Al-Ahram Establishment for 15 years.
Heikal is credited with giving Al-Ahram its established significance as the region's leading newspaper, transforming it into "the New York Times of the Arab world."
Since he started his career covering the Battle of El-Alamein during World War II until the final months of his life, Heikal had been an active public commentator on the past, present and future of Egypt, the Middle East and the Arab World.
Over the course of his long career, Heikal's analytical articles, interviews, broadcasted lectures and books became significant references for Egyptian and Arab history.
With literary works such as "The Cairo Documents", "Sphinx and Commissar", "The Road to Ramadan" and "Secret Channels", Heikal's insights into Arab and world affairs made him cross the bridge from successful journalist to esteemed intellectual and historian.
Heikal, who was a longtime friend of late Egyptian president Gamal Abd El-Nasser, was a part of Egypt's intellectual and artistic elite for decades, brushing shoulders with iconic figures such as Naguib Mahfouz and Umm Kulthum.