Egypt: Italian minister hails Islamist's win in landmark presidential polls

Luxembourg, 25 June (AKI) - Italy's foreign minister Giulio Terzi on Monday praised the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Mursi's victory in Egypt's first-ever democratic presidential elections.

"Mursi's election is an important step for Egyptian democracy," said Terzi, speaking in Luxembourg.

Questions remain over the extent of Mursi's authority as he will not have a sitting parliament or a permanent constitution to define his powers or duties.

Terzi said he was "optimistic" that Egypt's civil society and its politicians would continue on their country's path to democracy.

But he said: "It is vital that Egypt's future constitution guarantees the inclusion of all the country's political forces and respects the rights of all its citizens including its religious minorities."

Egypt's ruling military council on Sunday declared Mursi the winner of the presidential election, saying he took 51.73 percent of votes cast in the 16-17 June run-off.

Mursi, who could be sworn in on 30 June, will now have to begin building a civilian administration. He has promised to appoint a range of vice presidents and a cabinet of "all the talents".

The US-educated professor of engineering at Zagazig University in his victory speech on Sunday urged Egyptians "to strengthen our national unity" and promised an inclusive presidency.

World leaders have congratulated Mursi, who defeated ousted leader Hosni Mubarak's former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq.

Tens of thousands of Muslim Brotherhood supporters cheered in Cairo's Tahrir Square Sunday when Mursi's win was announced, chanting "Down with military rule!". Celebrations continued until the early hours of Monday.