New president promises to keep Egypt safe

Former army leader Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has been sworn in as Egypt’s new president at a ceremony attended by several leaders from the Arab and Muslim world in Cairo.

“I swear to God that I will uphold the constitution and Egypt’s laws, and that I will work for the interests of Egypt and all Egyptians, and that I will keep the country safe,” he said in his inaugural address.

Al-Sisi was elected at the end of May with nearly 97% of a less-than-50% turnout, weakening his legitimacy, but he appears to be winning some critics over.

Among the Arab nations to send representatives to Cairo is Qatar, which had backed Egypt’s now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, and was very critical of the army coup which toppled the Brotherhood’s government and its president Mohamed Morsi last year.