Morsi defies military on eve of swearing-in ceremony

Egypt’s newly-elected president read the oath of office in Tahrir Square and defied the country’s military rulers by saying: “I fear no one but God.”

Mohammed Morsi addressed tens of thousands of mostly Islamist supporters in a strongly-worded speech. He spoke on the eve of his official swearing-in ceremony, that was scheduled in front of a high court. But many protesters called on him to take the oath in the square to defy the ruling generals who took power after Hosni Mubarak was driven from office.

“I swear by God that I will sincerely protect the republican system and that I respect the constitution and the rule of law,” Morsi said to wild cheers from the crowd, many of whom were followers of his once-banned Muslim Brotherhood.