Saturday, June 30, 2012

Islamist Morsi is sworn in as president of Egypt

CAIRO ? Mohamed Morsi, Egypt?s new Islamist president took the oath of office Saturday afternoon before the country?s top court, vowing to help build strong, independent government institutions in a county reeling from its authoritarian past.

The 60-year-old Muslim Brotherhood politician became the country?s fifth president and its only head of state since the fall of the monarchy in 1952 that does not hail from the senior command of the armed forces.

?I will work to guarantee the independence of these powers and authorities,? a solemn Morsi told the country?s top jurists during a short ceremony inside the court.

The setting was the first concession Morsi has made since his election became official a week ago. The president had said he would only be sworn in before parliament, which the constitutional court dissolved earlier this month. But he backed down after delivering a rousing speech in Tahrir Square on Friday that was seen as a ceremonial oath before the people.

He is expected to deliver a speech later Saturday at Cairo University and to meet with the country?s ruling generals for what is expected to be a private, formal handover of authority.

The swearing-in ceremony was held just a few blocks away from a military hospital where ousted president Hosni Mubarak is reportedly undergoing medical care.

Conspicuously absent in footage of the session broadcast by Egypt?s state television were members of the country?s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, who have held executive power since Mubarak was forced out Feb. 11, 2011.

Egyptians have speculated for days about the pageantry and symbolisms of the day, wondering in particular whether the ruling generals would salute the Islamist in front of cameras. The junta stripped the presidency?s commander-in-chief powers hours after the last votes were cast, setting the stage for a protracted battle to redefine Egypt?s power structure in the months ahead.

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=49a156e1c0a1f7980c9a7643dc0eb59d

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