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Morsi takes oath of office

July 1, 2012

A new era is under way in Egypt following Islamist Mohammed Morsi's swearing-in ceremony as the nation's first freely elected civilian president. Morsi has pledged to restore rule of law.

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Egypt's new President Mohammed Morsi during a ceremony where the military handed over power to Morsi at a military base on June 30, 2012. (REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Moaty/Egyptian Presidency/Handout)
Image: Reuters

The 60-year-old Morsi took his oath before Egypt's highest court, the Supreme Constitutional Court.

"I swear by the Almighty God to sincerely preserve the republican order and to respect the constitution and law, and completely care for the people's interest," Morsi said.

Before being elected, Morsi was the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, but he resigned that post when he won the election. He succeeds Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted in a popular uprising 16 months ago. Since Mubarak's departure, the nation has been ruled by the military.

Neuer ägyptischer Präsident Mursi legt Amtseid ab‎ # 30.06.2012 18 Uhr # mursin14f # Journal Englisch

Taking control

Following his swearing-in ceremony, Morsi gave a speech at Cairo University in which he mentioned the "elected parliament" several times and emphasized that the military should now resume its normal role.

"The armed forces are the shield and sword of the nation. I pledge before God that I will safeguard that institution, soldiers and commanders, raise its prestige and support it with all the powers available to me so it can be stronger."

The handover of power from the Supreme Council (SCAF) of the Armed Forces to Morsi was marked in a military ceremony at Cairo's Hike Step Base later on Saturday. Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, chairman of the SCAF, pledged to support the new president.

"We will stand with the new president, elected by the people," Tantawi said.

Morsi accepted the transfer of power, thanking the military and pledging to support it.

He said the SCAF had transferred power "willingly" but added that the army would temporarily continue to help police in maintaining domestic security.

Revolution's legacy

On Friday, Morsi took a symbolic oath of office in a speech before tens of thousands of supporters in Tahrir Square, where the revolution that overthrew Mubarak began. He praised the square as the "square of freedom".

On Saturday, he again referred to the revolution's progress. "We are initiating a new stage and closing a hateful page," Morsi said at Cairo University. "Egypt will not go back."

tm/ccp (AP, AFP, dpa)