/ 30 June 2012

Morsi calls for an end to the bloodshed in Syria

Egypt's president-elect Mohamed Morsi
Egypt's president-elect Mohamed Morsi

Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi announced on Saturday his support for the Palestinians until they "regain all their rights" and called for an end to bloodshed in Syria, in his first presidential address.

"I announce from here that Egypt, its people and presidential institution stand with the Palestinian people until they regain all their rights," said Morsi. "We support the Syrian people. We want the bloodshed to stop," he added.

He repeated that Egypt would respect its international treaties, in an allusion to its 1979 peace accord with Israel.

"We carry a message of peace to the world, accompanied and preceded by a message of right and justice."

The Islamist, who resigned from the Muslim Brotherhood after winning the election this month, had spoken out forcefully in support of Palestinians during his campaign.

The Brotherhood is vehemently opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Asad and supports that uprising against him.

But as president, Morsi is not expected to radically change his country's foreign policy, especially towards Israel. — AFP.