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Egypt's President-Elect to Address Tahrir Square Crowd


A general view of Tahrir square as supporters of Muslim Brotherhood's president-elect Mohamed Morsi gather in Cairo, June 29, 2012.
A general view of Tahrir square as supporters of Muslim Brotherhood's president-elect Mohamed Morsi gather in Cairo, June 29, 2012.
Egyptian president-elect Mohamed Morsi plans to speak to a large crowd that has filled Cairo's Tahrir Square to protest the country's ruling military.

Morsi's spokesman Yasser Ali said the president wants to show unity with the people during Egypt's transition in leadership.

The president-elect will be sworn in Saturday. He is to appear before Egypt's Constitutional Court to take his oath of office, apparently conceding to the wishes of the ruling military council on details of the transfer of power.

Morsi had vowed to assume the presidency in front of parliament. However, the military council said he would take the oath in front of the 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.

The ruling generals have said they will transfer power to the president by July 1. However, many Egyptians erupted in anger and frustration when military leaders gave themselves sweeping powers that undercut the president's authority just days before Morsi was declared the presidential election winner.

Mohamed 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.


The president-elect 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.
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