Egypt's Islamist President-elect Mohammed Mursi took an informal oath of office on Friday in a speech to supporters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, in a slap at the generals trying to limit his power.
Paying tribute to Egypt's Muslims and Christians alike, Mursi symbolically swore himself in as the country's first elected civilian president.
Mursi, who won a run-off election earlier this month, was received with applause by the tens of thousands of people gathered in the birthplace of the revolt that overthrew dictator Hosni Mubarak last year.
He promised a "civilian state" and praised "the square of the revolution, the square of freedom," in what he called an address to "the free world, Arabs, Muslims... the Muslims of Egypt, Christians of Egypt."
"There is no power above people power," the former Muslim Brotherhood figure declared to wild cheers from the crowd.
"I was one of you and I still am, and I will continue to always be one of you. I came to you because I believe that you are the source of power and legitimacy above all sides," he added.
In a speech short on specific policies, Mursi promised to reassess the country's foreign policies, warning that foreign powers would no longer be able to dominate the country, as the US was accused of doing during the era of Mubarak.
But Mursi stopped short of specifically mentioning the 1979 Peace Treaty with Israel.
"We are capable of responding and even preventing any assault or aggression against us. Together my citizens, we will bring about a new understanding with respect to foreign powers," he said,
"I warn against anyone, whoever he may be, to try and harm Egypt's dignity. I warn against anyone thinking of harming Egypt."
Following the speech the crowd demanded an end to the military council, which has ruled Egypt since Mubarak's fall.
"Down, down with military rule," they chanted.
Critics accused the council of grabbing power after they passed a decree limiting Mursi's influence over many areas of policy.
Mursi will be unable to declare war without the military's backing and cannot make any decisions concerning the armed forces.
(Al-Akhbar, Reuters)
Meanwhile King Abdullah of Jordan confers with MishaalKing Abdullah II of Jordan conferred with Khaled Mishaal, the political bureau chairman of Hamas, and his accompanying delegation on Thursday on a number of regional developments.
Mursi, who won a run-off election earlier this month, was received with applause by the tens of thousands of people gathered in the birthplace of the revolt that overthrew dictator Hosni Mubarak last year.
He promised a "civilian state" and praised "the square of the revolution, the square of freedom," in what he called an address to "the free world, Arabs, Muslims... the Muslims of Egypt, Christians of Egypt."
"There is no power above people power," the former Muslim Brotherhood figure declared to wild cheers from the crowd.
"I was one of you and I still am, and I will continue to always be one of you. I came to you because I believe that you are the source of power and legitimacy above all sides," he added.
In a speech short on specific policies, Mursi promised to reassess the country's foreign policies, warning that foreign powers would no longer be able to dominate the country, as the US was accused of doing during the era of Mubarak.
But Mursi stopped short of specifically mentioning the 1979 Peace Treaty with Israel.
"We are capable of responding and even preventing any assault or aggression against us. Together my citizens, we will bring about a new understanding with respect to foreign powers," he said,
"I warn against anyone, whoever he may be, to try and harm Egypt's dignity. I warn against anyone thinking of harming Egypt."
Following the speech the crowd demanded an end to the military council, which has ruled Egypt since Mubarak's fall.
"Down, down with military rule," they chanted.
Critics accused the council of grabbing power after they passed a decree limiting Mursi's influence over many areas of policy.
Mursi will be unable to declare war without the military's backing and cannot make any decisions concerning the armed forces.
(Al-Akhbar, Reuters)
Meanwhile King Abdullah of Jordan confers with MishaalKing Abdullah II of Jordan conferred with Khaled Mishaal, the political bureau chairman of Hamas, and his accompanying delegation on Thursday on a number of regional developments.
Uprooted Palestinian 
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