Cairo, June 25 (RHC)-- Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi has been declared the winner in Egypt’s presidential race one week after the vote was held.  Morsi picked up 13.2 million votes, or 51 percent, beating out former Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, who received 12.3 million.

Tens of thousands of people flooded Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Sunday after the result was announced -- both celebrating the announced victory of Morsi and protesting the ruling military council. 

In his victory address, Morsi vowed to respect Egypt’s international obligations as well as human rights at home.  The newly-elected president said that he would work "to establish the principles of Egyptians and its civil identity as well as human values, especially freedom and the respect of human rights, the respect of women and family rights as well as children and to do away with any discrimination.

Morsi will become Egypt’s first freely-elected president, but he’ll face major challenges under Egypt’s ruling military council.  The council recently issued new restrictions on the incoming president’s authority, and will retain control of Egypt’s budget and legislation.

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