S E C R E T TEL AVIV 001984 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER EG KPAL IR IS SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER BARAK'S DISCUSSIONS IN EGYPT FOCUS ON SHALIT, TAHDIYA, ANTI-SMUGGLING, AND IRAN
¶5. (S) In terms of atmospherics, Hacham said the Israeli delegation was "shocked" by Mubarak's aged appearance and slurred speech. Hacham was full of praise for Soliman, however, and noted that a "hot line" set up between the MOD and Egyptian General Intelligence Service is now in daily use. Hacham said he sometimes speaks to Soliman's deputy Mohammed Ibrahim several times a day. Hacham noted that the Israelis believe Soliman is likely to serve as at least an interim President if Mubarak dies or is incapacitated. (Note: We defer to Embassy Cairo for analysis of Egyptian succession scenarios, but there is no question that Israel is most comfortable with the prospect of Omar Soliman.) Cable Viewer
More about Soliman here and on Wikipedia
And see The Torture Career of Egypt’s New Soon-to-be-Ex Vice President