Mursi was sworn in on Saturday as Egypt’s first freely elected President bringing his Muslim Brotherhood to power after 84 years of struggle, even as the military seemed determined to retain control.
Mursi, who was the winner of the presidential run-off, was officially sworn in before Egypt’s High Constitutional Court as Egypt’s first civilian president.
‘‘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,’’ 60-year-old Mursi said at the ceremony in the Constitutional Court.
‘‘We aspire to a better tomorrow, a new Egypt and a second republic,’’ Mursi said. He became Arab world’s first freely elected Islamist president and Egypt’s fifth head of state since the overthrow of the monarchy some 60 years ago.
He took his oath before the general assembly of the High Constitutional Court, composed of 18 top judges, lead by Farouk Sultan.
The Islamist, in a suit and burgundy tie, promised to lead a ‘‘civil, constitutional and modern state’’ in a short speech after taking the oath. ‘‘We aspire to a better tomorrow, a new Egypt and a second republic,’’ Mursi said. Mursi, was forced to take his oath at the court instead of in parliament after the military disbanded the Islamist-led house following a court order earlier this month.
His rise to presidency marks a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the Brotherhood that was banned under ousted leader Hosni Mubarak.
Mursi, in his first public speech on Friday promised to be a ‘‘president for all Egyptians’’, adding: ‘‘You are the source of all authority and legitimacy.’’ He insisted that ‘‘no institution will be above the people,’’ critiquing an army which has sought to shield itself from parliamentary oversight. (PTI)