The funeral procession for iconic Egyptian journalist and former editor-in-chief and chairman of Al-Ahram, Ibrahim Nafea, set off from the organisation's building in downtown Cairo on Wednesday morning.

The gathering was attended by current chairman of Al-Ahram organization Abdel Mohsen Salama, as well as the editors-in-chief of the organisation's different publications.

The procession culminates with funeral rites at the Omar Makram Mosque in downtown Cairo, after the midday prayers.

Nafea passed away on Sunday at the age of 84 at a hospital in Dubai after a long period of illness.

Nafea was among the most prominent journalists and writers in the Middle East. He received wide acclaim throughout his long career, conducting interviews with leading political figures and Arab and world leaders.

He also authored a number of books, including Riyah Al-demokratiya (Wind of Democracy) and Sanawat Al-Khatar (Years of Danger).

Nafea served as the head of the economy section at Al-Ahram daily newspaper, then deputy editor-in-chief and editor-in-chief of the paper, before his appointment as CEO of the organization.

In 1985, Nafea was elected head of the Journalists' Syndicate and won re-election more than once.