Egypt’s New President to Take Oath Before Court

Posted June 29th, 2012 at 2:45 am (UTC-5)
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Egyptian President-Elect Mohamed Morsi will be sworn in Saturday before the nation's Constitutional Court, apparently acceding to the wishes of the ruling military council about details of the transfer of power.

Egypt's official MENA news agency reported late Thursday that Mr. Morsi will take the oath of office in front of the Constitutional Court at 11 a.m. local time Saturday.

Mr. Morsi had vowed to assume the presidency in front of parliament. But the military council said Mr. Morsi would take the oath in front of the Constitutional Court because of the recent dissolution of the lower house of parliament, which was dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood.

Some observers have said the disagreement could be the first phase of a prolonged power struggle between the Brotherhood and the military.

Mr. Morsi ran for president as a candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood before resigning after being declared president-elect on Sunday. The Brotherhood has rejected the military's actions.

MENA also reported that Mr. Morsi will give a speech to crowds in Cairo's Tahrir Square Friday.

Mr. Morsi has pledged to form an inclusive government.

Earlier this week, he moved into the offices of the presidential palace, formerly occupied by ousted president Hosni Mubarak until a popular uprising toppled him last year.