the region. in protest, many even centrist arab governments broke diplomatic relations with egypt. 2 1/2 years later while he was reviewing a military parade with then vice president hosni mubarak sitting next to him, muslim radicals in the army had their revenge. he was assassinated. opinion was wounded but survived to be sworn in as president, october 1981. hosni mubarak has been the egyptian president ever since and until recently never had a vice president. when he came to power egypt was the pariah of the arab world for signing that peace deal with israel. mubarak went on the diplomatic offensive quickly improving relations with arab neighbors. >> i consider peace is not something impossible.