Mubarak denies abuse of power

Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak has denied that he abused his authority to amass wealth and property in his first speech since his ousting.

Broadcast today on the pan-Arab news channel Al-Arabiya, Mubarak said he is willing to cooperate in any investigation to prove that he did not own any property abroad or have foreign bank accounts.

The news channel said the speech was recorded on Saturday after demonstrators gathered in Cairo to demand the country’s ruling military council launch an investigation into Mubarak’s wealth.

That has been a key demand of Egyptians, who forced Mubarak to leave office on February 11 after 18 days of mass demonstrations.