Photos: Artists, Ambassadors Mourn Syrian Film Critic Rafik Sabban

Actors and filmmakers are gathering once again, following the funeral of Leekaa Sweedan's brother who was gunned down by Brotherhood supporters, to mourn the loss of Syrian film critic Rafik el Saban, who died of natural causes. A small contingent of actors, filmmakers and Arab League ambassadors were received in his Giza home.

Zeid Saban, the critic's son, welcomed well-wishers from the entertainment industry including director Mohamed Abdel Aziz, director Daoud Abdel Sayed, director Ali Badrkhan, writer Bashir El Deek, director Nabiha Lotfy, Elham Shaheen, Manal Salama, Sameh el Serity, Mohamed Abo Dawood, Salwa Mohamed Ali, Azza Labeeb, and Ahlam Younis, the sister of actress Essad Younis.

Among the Arab League ambassadors who came to offer their sympathy and condolences were Ambassador Hisham Youssef, advisor to the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ambassador Mohamed Sabih, Assistant Secretary-General, Ambassador Soqdi Yacoub, Ambassador Talal el Amin. The Sudanese ambassador and a delegation from the Syrian embassy showed up as well.

Saban passed away after a years-long struggle with disease. He spent years in Cairo hospitals trying to treat kidney failure and the repercussions of a heart attack.