Egypt's Ousted Mubarak Denies Corruption

Egypt's public prosecutor Sunday summoned ousted leader Hosni Mubarak for questioning about the killing of protesters and the embezzlement of public funds, as hundreds of protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square demanded he be brought to trial.

A statement from the prosecutor said Mr. Mubarak's sons Gamal and Alaa were also summoned in the corruption probe.

The announcement came after the ousted president declared that the allegations against him are unfounded, and he has the right to defend his and his family's reputation.

Mr. Mubarak's remarks were broadcast Sunday by the Al-Arabiya news channel.  They were his first public remarks since mass protests forced his departure in February.

The former leader said he is willing to cooperate with authorities investigating his wealth, and stated that he does not have any foreign bank accounts or large properties abroad.

The public prosecutor also announced Sunday that authorities have detained former prime minister Ahmed Nazif for 15 days as part of a corruption investigation.

Protesters have stepped up pressure on Egypt's ruling military to try the ousted president and members of his government for corruption and other crimes.

Several hundred demonstrators have defied an army order to leave Cairo's Tahrir Square.  Protesters at the square on Sunday chanted slogans against Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who heads the military council that has ruled Egypt since the ouster of Mr. Mubarak in February.

Demonstrators have accused the military of protecting the former leader, who has been living under house arrest at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh with his family.  

The protesters have stayed in Tahrir Square even after Egypt's military rulers said Saturday they were ready to use force to clear the site so that life can go "back to normal."

Earlier Saturday, medical sources in Egypt said a pre-dawn military crackdown on demonstrators in the square killed two people and left at least 15 wounded. State television quoted Egypt's Health Ministry as saying one person died and 71 were wounded.

Military police swept into the square, swinging batons and firing shots to clear out protesters defying a curfew to rally against the country's former and current leadership.  Witnesses say police beat the protesters, and blood could be seen on the streets.