Sisi is president

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gave former President Adly Mansour the Nile Medal, the most prestigious Egyptian decoration, as his first presidential decree amid inauguration celebrations on Sunday.

In his speech during the ceremony at Qubba Palace, Sisi expressed his gratitude to the interim president. The president-elect vowed the Egyptian people should respect the Constitution and the law. "I swore to be the president of all Egyptians," he said.

President Sisi described the Armed Forces as the "factory of men, and the school and fortress of nationalism," before addressing the Egyptian people by saying, "You knew me as a military officer and requested me to run for presidency due to your trust in the military institution."

Sisi added that he will work for fair representation of women and young people in Egypt's next parliament and called upon the youth to work as the nation needs their work and devotion. "Help enrich political life through the legal channels," he added.

"I will work day and night and I promise the unprivileged with a better life in four years from now," he claimed. The new president added that the Egyptian people's votes for a new parliament are vital.

Sisi arrived Qubba Palace on Sunday evening to attend his inauguration ceremony.Former President Adly Mansour attended the ceremony along with Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb, a number of ministers, political and social figures.   

Earlier on, President Sisi headed to Ettehadiya palace for the second part of the day-long celebrations after taking the oath at the Supreme Constitutional Court.

Nation heads and Egyptian officials were waiting for Sisi when he finally arrived at the palace, greeted by 21 cannon shots.

Among those who congratulated Sisi upon his arrival at the palace were a number of heads of Arab states, such as Jordan and Palestine, and representatives from several African and Western nations.

Outgoing President Adly Mansour also stayed to attend the celebrations, seated next to Sisi.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took his oath earlier on Sunday in front of members of the Supreme Constitutional Court, officially becoming Egypt’s new president after winning the recent elections with 96.9 percent of the vote.

The inauguration ceremony took place with outgoing president Adly Mansour seated next to Sisi, facing the 13 members of the constitutional court.

Following the national anthem, the inauguration was opened with recitation from the Quran.

Deputy Head of the constitutional court Maher Samy gave a speech congratulating Sisi for siding with the Egyptian people and asserting that June 30 was a popular revolt and not a military coup as some say.

Samy used a quote from former head of the Supreme Constitutional Court Awad al-Mor explaining that “a revolution on the revolution” is needed when the original revolution has strayed away from the people’s interests, stressing that June 30 is a prime example of this.

Samy called Sisi “the revolutionary soldier” and “Egypt’s obedient son,” asserting that the military had embraced the people and enacted their will.

He also saluted the martyrs, saying that they are looking down on us, satisfied with the results of their sacrifice.

Anwar al-Assy, the acting head of the SCC, also gave a short address in which he congratulated Sisi for the “well-deserved confidence” of the people.

Sisi read the oath as dictated in the Constitution, vowing to protect Egypt’s lands and respect its constitution.

Following the inauguration, Sisi and outgoing president Mansour walked out of the room together, after posing with the members of the SCC.

A small group gathered in front of the SCC in celebration, while Tahrir Square, which has been closed since Saturday night in preparation for celebratory marches, is yet to fill up with people.