Mohammed Morsi sworn in as Egypt's new president His swearing in was a day of triumph for the Muslim Brotherhood, which was repressed for decades under the old regime. It will also cause deep unease among Egypt's large Christian population, secular-minded Egyptians including young revolutionaries who started last year's uprising, and Egypt's neighbours, especially Israel. It is unlikely to mark the end of political turbulence. Few Egyptians voted for him, and the army retains a tight grip on the levers of real power. "I swear by the Almighty God to sincerely preserve the republican order and to respect the constitution and law, and completely care for the people's interest," he said at the ceremony in the Constitutional Court. In a short speech after taking the oath Mr Morsi, who wore a suit and burgundy tie, promised to lead a "civil, constitutional and modern state." He was forced to take his oath at the court instead of in parliament after the military disbanded the Islamist-led house following a court order earlier this month. The new president was winner of a June 16-17 election run-off, against a rival who was a former close ally of jailed former president Mubarak. Hours before the official swearing in, Mr Morsi symbolically took his oath on Friday before tens of thousands of supporters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the revolt that overthrew Mubarak on February 11, 2011.