As Hosni Mubarak, the former Egyptian president, lies on his deathbed, The Family offers a fresh perspective on the history and inner workings of the man, his wife and his family.

The story of Hosni Mubarak - along with his wife Suzanne and their two sons - is a tale of politics, power, ambition and greed.

It is a story of a humble birth and a rise through the ranks of the Egyptian air force, culminating in a 30-year reign over the fulcrum of the Arab world - all set against the backdrop of a tumultuous region.

The first of these two-hour documentaries shows Mubarak as the unassuming and loyal lieutenant of Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar al-Sadat who found himself thrust into the top job - brought to power by a twist of fate.



The second shows Mubarak as president, developing into a dictator and surrounded by a family with an insatiable appetite for self-interest.

This is a tale of how power corrupts, of how a once-modest man turned into an all-powerful pharaoh who rode roughshod over the wishes of his subjects - and of a dramatic downfall.

The Family includes testimony from those who served with Mubarak as well as members of his family and inner circle and photographs from the family album.

Watch the first part of The Family from Thursday, June 21, at the following times GMT: Thursday: 2000; Friday: 1200; Saturday: 0100; Sunday: 0600; Monday: 2000; Tuesday: 1200; Wednesday: 0100; Thursday: 0600. The second part airs at the same times the following week.