Aug 31, 2007, 11:25 GMT
Cairo - Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak on Friday dismissed reports that he was seriously ill, saying 'the month of August is when rumours increase.'
In an interview with the editor-in-chief of Egypt's national al- Ahram newspaper published Friday, Mubarak said he did not care about such gossip, though he knew its source.
Mubarak said 'those spreading rumours don't want to see stability prevailing in the society,' adding: 'They only aim to undermine Egypt's achievements.'
On Wednesday, Mubarak conducted a highly-publicized tour of a remote industrial zone near his summer beach house in Borg al-Arab, west of the port city of Alexandria.
A day later, the independent al-Masry al-Youm daily in a report quoting 'well-informed diplomatic sources,' said Mubarak's visit to Borg al-Arab was intended to dispel rumours that his health was deteriorating severely and that he had earlier been hospitalized.
State-run media were seen to be seeking to counter the reports with the release of photographs and footage showing the 79-year old leader as he toured textile facilities on Wednesday.
Mubarak, who has been ruling Egypt since 1981, has no designated successor.
Political analysts and Egyptian opposition politicians say the rise of his 44-year-old son, Gamal Mubarak through the ruling National Democratic Party by holding the posts of the assistant secretary general and head policies committee, raises concerns that the way is being paved for a hereditary succession.
The opposition in Egypt has repeatedly accused the Mubarak family of corruption.
Your Talkback on this Story