Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is critically ill and may be close to death, reports from Cairo suggest.

来自开罗的报告称，埃及前总统侯塞尼·穆巴拉克已病入膏肓、面临死亡。

He is said to have had a stroke and was moved from prison to an army hospital, where he is on life support. Initial reports said he was "clinically dead".

It comes amid protests over disputed presidential election results and new powers for the ruling military.

Mubarak, 84, was ousted¹ in last year's uprising（起义） , and jailed for life for his role in the death of protesters.

There have been frequent reports since then that his health has deteriorated², many of which have proved wrong.

Through the night, supporters and opponents gathered outside the Maadi military hospital, where the former president is being treated.

Reports that he was clinically dead have been categorically denied by the ruling military council, the Supreme³ Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf).

Disputed result

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people protested in Cairo's Tahrir Square against a move by the Scaf to assume new powers.

The rally was called by the Muslim Brotherhood⁴, which is also claiming victory for its candidate Mohammed Mursi in last weekend's presidential elections.

His rival Ahmed Shafiq, a former prime minister under Mubarak, has also said he has won.

Results are expected to be announced on Thursday.

The Muslim Brotherhood has also vowed⁵ to retry Mubarak once in power, and insists that he should face the death penalty.

As Egyptians voted, the generals dissolved parliament and claimed all legislative⁶ power for themselves.

Activists⁷ have described the moves as a "military coup⁸".