The Moslem Brotherhood candidate has pledged to strengthen national unity. Egypt's Supreme Presidential Election Commission, SPEC on Sunday June 24, 2012 announced that Mohamed Mursi of the Moslem Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party won the second round of the country's presidential poll. He took 51.73 per cent of votes as against 48.27 per cent for his rival, Ahmed Shafiq, an independent. Meanwhile, the announcement has been generally welcomed by world leaders.

In his victory speech on Sunday June 24, the 60-year-old American-trained engineering professor urged Egyptians to strengthen national unity. He promised an inclusive presidency, a range of vice presidents and a cabinet of all talents. President Mursi has already begun the search for a Prime Minister and cabinet with the possibility of being sworn in on Saturday June 30, 2012.

ABC news said US President, Barack Obama, personally called Mursi to congratulate him while Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed hope that the long-standing peace treaty between the two countries will continue. The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon praised the Moslem Brotherhood's candidate, saying his election was another stage in the country's move toward democracy.

In the Gaza Strip, hundreds of Palestinian youths took to the streets to celebrate the victory. Others distributed sweets and exchanged calls of congratulation. Al-Ahram Weekly Online newspaper said Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Moussa Abu Marzouk were the first Palestinian officials to congratulate the Moslem Brotherhood on their victory. Haniyeh, the Prime Minister of the Hamas government in Gaza hailed the election as a democratic wedding, saying he hoped Egypt would enjoy political stability and economic prosperity. He added that the Palestinian people were pinning a lot of hopes on the triumph of the Egyptian revolution.

Back in Egypt, eliminated presidential candidate, Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh congratulated his countrymen for the achievement. He however stressed that the struggle to achieve the goals of the revolution must continue until the complete transfer of power from the military to civilians, the online edition of Ahram newspaper reported. Leftist activist, Wael Khalil of the Masrena Movement described the win as the choice of the people that was clearly reflected at the polls.