Mubarak speaks up, vows to fight corruption allegations
Deposed Egyptian president breaks 2-month silence, says "unfounded allegations seek to harm my reputation and integrity."
By REUTERSFormer Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak 311 Reu(photo credit: Reuters TV / Reuters)
CAIRO - Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, breaking a two-month silence, said on Sunday that accusations of corruption against his family were lies and he had the right to defend his reputation.In his first public comments since being ousted from power on Feb. 11, Mubarak said information sent to Egypt's public prosecutor would show he owns no financial assets or real estate abroad.RELATED:Two protesters reportedly killed in Egypt's Tahrir SquareProtesters in Tahrir Square pile pressure on armyDetails of bank accounts owned by his sons Alaa and Gamal would disprove any suspicions of profiteering and illegal gains."I will uphold all my legal rights to defend my reputation as well as that of my family both at home and abroad," Mubarak said in a recorded statement carried by Al Arabiya TV."I have been, and still am, pained by what I and my family are facing from fraudulent campaigns and unfounded allegations that seek to harm my reputation, my integrity and my military and political record."He said he only had assets and bank accounts in one Egyptian bank, as he had previously disclosed.Reformers who drove the mass street protests that ousted the autocratic leader of three decades have demanded tougher steps to recover assets they say he and others took from the state.Since he left office, Mubarak, 82, and his family have stayed in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh and Egyptian officials have denied reports and rumors that he is very ill.Mubarak said "lies" carried by local and foreign media that he and his family own extensive real estate holdings abroad would be disproved.
