Excerpts from new Egyptian president’s inauguration speech
CAIRO, (AP) — Islamist Mohammed Morsi took the oath of office Saturday to become Egypt’s first freely elected president, succeeding Hosni Mubarak who was ousted in a popular uprising 16 months ago. Here are some excerpts from Morsi’s inauguration speech at Cairo University attended by to
CAIRO, (AP) — Islamist Mohammed Morsi took the oath of office Saturday to become Egypt’s first freely elected president, succeeding Hosni Mubarak who was ousted in a popular uprising 16 months ago. Here are some excerpts from Morsi’s inauguration speech at Cairo University attended by top military generals, politicians and members of Egypt’s disbanded parliament:
—”In the new Egypt, the ruler will be an employee of the nation and a servant to the people. And my first mission with you is to act as a referee between the authorities.”
—”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 (ruling) Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has honored its promise not to be a substitute for the popular will and the elected institutions will now return to carry out their duties as the glorious Egyptian army returns to being devoted to its mission of defending the nation’s borders and security.”
— “I say to those who have fears of the path of the Egyptian state changing to another one, I say that the people chose me for the sake of (preserving) Egyptian civilization and its great role, and the people will not accept deviating from this path. I won’t let them accept it. I pledge to God and I pledge to you that I will put all effort and energy into protecting the Egyptian state and reforming it,” he said in response to fears of the creation of an Islamic state in Egypt.
— “We carry a message of peace to the world and we carry, with and before it, a message of truth and justice. We affirm our respect for the Egyptian state’s commitments in accords and international agreements.”
— “I announce from here that the Egyptian nation, people, government and presidency are standing by the side of the Palestinian people until they get back all of their legitimate rights and we will work on achieving Palestinian national reconciliation so the Palestinian people unite to recover its territory and sovereignty.”
—”We are not exporting the revolution. Egyptians will not export the revolution. We won’t interfere in anybody’s business and at the same time we won’t permit anyone to interfere in our affairs.”