Within hours of the announcement of the election of Mohamed Morsi as president-elect of Egypt, congratulation began pouring in from leaders around the world.
From inside Egypt Morsi, received congratulations from Head of the Supreme Council of Armed forces, Field Marshal Tantawi, Prime Minister Kamal El Ganzoury , former Arab League chief and presidential candidate Amr Moussa, The Grand Sheikh of Al Azhar University Ahmed El Tayeb and the Grand Mufti Ali Goma’a.
King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, issued his congratulations to Morsi adding “these elections have reinforced democracy and the will of the Egyptian people.”
The foreign ministry of the United Arab Emirates welcomed Morsi’s victory saying, “the Emirates respect the will of the Egyptian people” while Dubai police chief, Dhahi Khalfan, described Morsi’s election into power as “a failed choice with possibly dangerous consequences.”
The Emir of Kuwait, Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber sent his congratulations saying “he hopes for the prosperity for and security of the Egyptian people” while the head of Kuwait’s legislature the National Assembly, Ahmed Sa’adoon, said to Kuwaiti Al Khabar news service, “attempts by Arab countries to interfere in Egypt’s elections have failed.”
In Gaza, celebrations followed the announcement of Morsi’s victory. Mahmoud Zahar, a prominent figure in Hamas told AFP that Morsi’s coming to power, is a “historical moment and a great victory. In Rafah one person was reported killed and five injured when live rounds were fired in celebration.
Israel reacted with reserve, uncomfortable with the new president they have accused in recent weeks of collaborating with, and even guiding, Hamas. Reuters reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “respects the results of the elections in Egypt.”
Critical Egypt ally, Turkey congratulated Morsi’s victory with its Ambassador in Egypt, Hossein Awani, saying that he “was pleased that now Egypt is now ready to become a democracy.”
British Foreign Secretary, William Hague tweeted his congratulations on the victory and the peaceful process, adding that he “looks forward for democratic and economic reforms in Egypt” but also asking Morsi to “ensure that all Egyptians’ rights are guaranteed.”
