Egypt

  

The world around Mubarak appeared to be shrinking but that doesn’t mean he is without friend and money. The Mubarak family fortune is extensive and some of the wealth parked in Swiss banks has been frozen, while considerable assets exist worldwide. While it is well known that Swiss banks might hold the bulk of the assets, estimated to be up to $70 billion, and there are many business ventures and real estate holdings around the world.

There are posh properties in the Mubarak name in London, New York, Los Angeles and even Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California.. Mubarak's two sons, Gamal and Alaa are reportedly billionaires in their own right. Gamal, a billionaire businessman is known to own a home in the exclusive London suburb of Belgravia.

Not unlike organized crime in the U.S., money is made through legitimate businesses. Instead of the corporate entities being a sham however, in the case of Egypt the businesses are partnerships with foreign interests. In a nod to the blatant habit of other countries to demand a kick back for permission to do business in the country, the Mubarak way is to take a position in the company.

From the time Mubarak was in the military he learned that foreign investors were willing to give up an estimated 20% of company equity to get a foothold in Egypt. Boat loads of money flow from successful business profits that are then stashed in Swiss banks or used to invest in real estate outside of Egypt. Some property is owned in Egypt particularly in and around the Sharm el-Sheikh resort town, including hotels that are popular with tourists, his ability to reach into the economic sphere and benefit from monopolies, bribery fees, red-tape fees, and nepotism. It was guaranteed profit in his remarkable three decades of iron fist ruled.

Mubarak also spread the wealth far and wide in Egyptian power circles–another Middle Eastern tradition–one reason he incurred the kind of loyalty that allowed him to rule for decades. Top Army officials were almost certainly on his payroll, which might help explain why the Army eased him out in the end–allowing a kind of in-country exile–instead of hounding him out of Egypt or imprisoning him once it was clear the tide had turned against him for good.

 Egypt's military took control of the country following Mubarak's departured. President Obama reaffirmed his admiration for the people of Egypt following 18 days of protests; and continue his  pledged to provide any support requested by Egypt including financial backing, as the country works toward free and fair election.