Islamist is Egypt’s first democratic president

Islamist Mohamed Morsy of the Muslim Brotherhood was declared Egypt’s first democratic president by the state election committee, which said he had defeated former general Ahmed Shafik with 51.7% of last weekend’s run-off vote.

He succeeds Hosni Mubarak, who was overthrown 16 months ago after a popular uprising. The military council which has ruled the biggest Arab nation since then has this month curbed the powers of the presidency, meaning the head of state will have to work closely with the army on a planned democratic constitution.

Thousands of Brotherhood supporters burst into cheers on Cairo’s Tahrir Square, waving national flags, setting off fireworks and chanting “Allahu Akbar”, or God is Great, greeting a dramatic victory, tempered by the army’s continuing role.