Egypt's 1st Freely Elected President Sworn In

It's notable that Mohamed Morsi took oath before Supreme Constitutional Court
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 30, 2012 6:21 AM CDT
Egypt's 1st Freely Elected President Sworn In
Egyptians wave to Egypt's President-elect, Mohamed Morsi, upon his arrival to give a speech at Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, June 29, 2012.   (Khalil Hamra)

Mohamed Morsi has been sworn in before Egypt's highest court as the country's first freely elected president, succeeding Hosni Mubarak who was ousted 16 months ago. Morsi, the Arab world's first freely elected Islamist president, became Egypt's fifth head of state since the overthrow of the monarchy some 60 years ago. He took the oath today before the Supreme Constitutional Court in its Nile-side courthouse built to resemble an ancient Egyptian temple.

Morsi has vowed to reclaim presidential powers stripped from his office by the military council that took over after Mubarak's overthrow. But by agreeing to take the oath before the court, rather than before parliament as is customary, he is bowing to the military's will in an indication that the contest for power will continue. (More Mohamed Morsi stories.)

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