PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
UN chief welcomes conclusion of Egypt's presidential polls
New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the conclusion of Egypt's presidential election process following the release of official results, a UN statement said here Monday.
The statement, made available to PANA in New York, stated: ``The Secretary-General
commends Egyptians for the peaceful atmosphere in which these elections were held.''
It said: ``Ban congratulates Dr. Mohamed Morsy on his election and trusts that the
President-elect will spare no effort in ensuring that the people of Egypt realise their aspirations for greater democracy, the promotion of human rights, and a more prosperous and stable Egypt for all of its citizens.
It also said that the UN chief noted that the imminent handover of power to the elected President marks the end of one important phase of Egypt's ongoing transition to greater democracy.
``He stresses the need to strengthen and build strong, independent institutions and to allow civil society to flourish and to play its role fully and freely," the statement added.
Egypt's Higher Presidential Elections Commission announced the results of the 16-17 June run-off poll earlier Sunday, after they were delayed since Thursday.
The run-off featured Morsy, representing the Muslim Brotherhood, against ex-prime minister Ahmed Shafiq.
According to media reports, Morsy defeated Shafiq by more than almost 900,000 votes for a total of 51.7 per cent of the vote, compared to 48 per cent for Shafiq.
The elections are the first presidential election since the toppling of the long-standing regime of Hosni Mubarak following popular protests in January 2011, and widely seen as a key element of the country's transition to greater democracy.
-0- PANA AA/VAO 25June2012
The statement, made available to PANA in New York, stated: ``The Secretary-General
commends Egyptians for the peaceful atmosphere in which these elections were held.''
It said: ``Ban congratulates Dr. Mohamed Morsy on his election and trusts that the
President-elect will spare no effort in ensuring that the people of Egypt realise their aspirations for greater democracy, the promotion of human rights, and a more prosperous and stable Egypt for all of its citizens.
It also said that the UN chief noted that the imminent handover of power to the elected President marks the end of one important phase of Egypt's ongoing transition to greater democracy.
``He stresses the need to strengthen and build strong, independent institutions and to allow civil society to flourish and to play its role fully and freely," the statement added.
Egypt's Higher Presidential Elections Commission announced the results of the 16-17 June run-off poll earlier Sunday, after they were delayed since Thursday.
The run-off featured Morsy, representing the Muslim Brotherhood, against ex-prime minister Ahmed Shafiq.
According to media reports, Morsy defeated Shafiq by more than almost 900,000 votes for a total of 51.7 per cent of the vote, compared to 48 per cent for Shafiq.
The elections are the first presidential election since the toppling of the long-standing regime of Hosni Mubarak following popular protests in January 2011, and widely seen as a key element of the country's transition to greater democracy.
-0- PANA AA/VAO 25June2012
