Muhammad Mursi made history yesterday as he was declared the winner in Egypt’s first free presidential election, closing the tumultuous first phase of a democratic transition. World leaders welcomed the change in Egypt.
In Tahrir Square, joyous Mursi supporters wept and kneeled in prayer. They danced, set off fireworks and released doves in the air with Mursi’s picture attached in celebrations not seen in the square since Mubarak was forced out.
Thousands vowed to remain in Tahrir to demand that the ruling generals reverse their decision on dissolving Parliament.
“I pledge to be a president who serves his people and works for them,” Mursi said on his official Web page. “I will not betray God in defending your rights and the rights of this nation.”
Mursi, the 60-year old US-trained engineer, narrowly defeated Shafiq with 51.7 percent of the vote versus 48.3, by a margin of only 800,000 votes, the election commission said. Turnout was 51 percent.
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