CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's president is refuting corruption allegations raised by a businessman about the country's military in a series of recorded testimonials that went viral on social media.

Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi says Saturday that allegations of embezzlement and misuse of public funds in building new presidential palaces are "sheer lies and defamation."

He says: "I've built presidential palaces and I will continue to do so. I am building a new country. ... All of this is not mine. It's Egypt's."

El-Sissi was responding to claims by contractor Mohammed Ali, who said he worked for the military for 15 years, alleging massive spending, abuse by authorities and misuse of public funds.

He has denied the allegations without elaborating. He has called the claims against the military an attempt to topple Egypt.