Hosni Mubarak, in court, denies he ordered protesters killed in 2011 uprising

Egypt's deposed President Hosni Mubarak yesterday denied that he ordered protesters killed during the 2011 uprising that deposed him, his first lengthy statement to a court as his year-old retrial draws to an end.

Speaking from a stretcher inside a cage that holds defendants, Mubarak, 86, described his 29-year rule as one that stabilised the country, a theme employed during his last days in power as the popular revolt against him grew and he resisted calls to step down.

"Hosni Mubarak speaking to you today would never order the killing of protesters or shedding the blood of Egyptians," the former autocrat said in a speech where he appeared at times sympathetic but also defiant.

"I voluntarily chose to give up my responsibility as president to prevent bloodshed and to preserve national unity, for Egypt not to slip into a dangerous path toward the unknown," he added, wearing a blue prison uniform and with reddened eyes.

Mubarak was found guilty in June 2012 of failing to stop the killing of more than 900 protesters during the 18-day uprising and was sentenced to life imprisonment, but his conviction was overturned in January 2013.

Prosecutors appealed against that decision, and a retrial began in April 2013.