Abdel-Rahman El-Abnoudi, renowned Egyptian poet, writer and songwriter, has died at 76 after a long struggle with illness, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.

El-Abnoudi was born in 1939 in the village of Abnoud in Upper Egypt's Qena governorate.

He is survived by his wife, TV Host Nehal Kamal, and two daughters: Aya and Nour.

Anas Donqoul, the brother of late poet Amal Donqoul who was a dear friend of El-Abnoudi, said today we've lost one of the most important poetry figures in Egypt and the Arab world.

Donqoul said it's a strange coincidence that El-Abnoudi, born in April, also died in the same month.

Both Amal Donqoul and El-Abnoudi moved to Cairo from Upper Egypt when they were 20 years old and were close friends until Donqoul's death in 1983.