BBC Online :
Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has urged Egyptians to work to restore stability after being declared the winner of last week’s presidential election.
The former army chief said he wanted “freedom” and “social justice”, echoing the slogan of the 2011 revolution.
Sisi spoke after election officials announced that he had received 96.9% of the vote and his sole challenger, left-winger Hamdeen Sabahi, only 3.1%.
The retired field marshal overthrew President Mohammed Morsi last July.
He has since been locked in a battle with Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, which urged a boycott of what it called “the election of blood”.
Liberal and secular activists, including the 6 April youth movement which was prominent in the 2011 revolution that ousted Hosni Mubarak, also shunned the poll in protest at the curtailing of civil rights.
Some journalists and government officials burst into applause and started dancing after the final results of the election were announced
at a news conference in Cairo on Tuesday.
Thousands of Sisi supporters also celebrated in the capital’s famous Tahrir Square, cheering, singing songs and setting off fireworks.
Women celebrate Abdul Fattah al-Sisi’s election in Tahrir Square (3 June 2014) Sisi’s supporters believe that after three years of turmoil he is the saviour they have been waiting for
In a speech broadcast later on state television, Sisi thanked voters and said he hoped to “be up to your trust”.
He said it was now “time to work”, adding: “Our co-operation in work and construction will lead to prosperity and luxury.”
Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has urged Egyptians to work to restore stability after being declared the winner of last week’s presidential election.
The former army chief said he wanted “freedom” and “social justice”, echoing the slogan of the 2011 revolution.
Sisi spoke after election officials announced that he had received 96.9% of the vote and his sole challenger, left-winger Hamdeen Sabahi, only 3.1%.
The retired field marshal overthrew President Mohammed Morsi last July.
He has since been locked in a battle with Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, which urged a boycott of what it called “the election of blood”.
Liberal and secular activists, including the 6 April youth movement which was prominent in the 2011 revolution that ousted Hosni Mubarak, also shunned the poll in protest at the curtailing of civil rights.
Some journalists and government officials burst into applause and started dancing after the final results of the election were announced
at a news conference in Cairo on Tuesday.
Thousands of Sisi supporters also celebrated in the capital’s famous Tahrir Square, cheering, singing songs and setting off fireworks.
Women celebrate Abdul Fattah al-Sisi’s election in Tahrir Square (3 June 2014) Sisi’s supporters believe that after three years of turmoil he is the saviour they have been waiting for
In a speech broadcast later on state television, Sisi thanked voters and said he hoped to “be up to your trust”.
He said it was now “time to work”, adding: “Our co-operation in work and construction will lead to prosperity and luxury.”
