Prominent Egyptian journalist Abdullah Kamal died early on Friday at the age of 49, reportedly of a sudden heart attack.

Kamal was the editor-in-chief of state daily Rosa Al-Youssef, and its weekly magazine, from 2005 to 2011. He was an outspoken supporter of Hosni Mubarak during the 2011 uprising against his rule.

He also was one of the youngest members of Egypt's upper house of parliament, appointed by Mubarak during his presidency.

Kamal was the author of several books, and had reportedly planned to write a work about Mubarak.