Egypt’s Morsi takes symbolic oath

Egypt’s Islamist President-elect Mohamed Morsi has taken a symbolic oath of office in front of tens of thousands of supporters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on the eve of his official swearing in. Sarah Irwin reports.

“I swear by God that I will sincerely protect the republican system and that I respect the constitution and the rule of law.”

Morsi will be sworn in officially today – by the constitutional court – rather than by parliament as usual.

The court dissolved the Islamist-dominated lower house in a series of measures designed to ensure that the generals who took over from ousted ruler Hosni Mubarak will keep a grip on Egyptian affairs.

Morsi’s speech was a challenge to the army – that also said it represents the will of the people.

The 60-year-old, US-trained engineer was declared president last Sunday – after he narrowly beat Mubarak’s last prime minister.