By: Ashraf Sadek CAIRO, June 2, 2018 - Mr. Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Saturday started his second four-year term as Egypt's President with a pledge to spare no effort for the good of the country. "I swear by God Almighty to sincerely protect the republican system, to respect the Constitution and law, and take full care of the people's interests, protect the independence of the nation and the unity and safety of its lands," President Sisi said. Addressing the nation after taking the oath of office during a special parliamentary session, President Sisi asserted that he took great pride in the Egyptian people and had firm confidence in the Egyptians. "My national choices of siding all the time with the will of the Egyptians have emanated from that confidence," President Sisi, who won a second four-year term after gaining more than 21,835,387 votes with a 97.08 percentage in the March 26-28 presidential elections, said. He pledged to spare no effort for the good of the country and keep upholding the resolve to achieve development and realise stability. "We managed to cross very difficult stage towards a future with more stability," President Sisi said. In his speech, President Sisi expressed pride and endearment of the Egyptian people for re-electing him for a second term. However, he said he would serve his opponents and proponents. "I assure you that accepting the other and creating common spaces between us will be my biggest concern to achieve consensus, social peace and real political development in addition to our economic development," President Sisi said. "I will not exclude anyone from this common space except those who chose violence, terrorism and extremist thought as a way to impose their will," Sisi added during the ceremony, broadcast live on television. "I am the President for all Egyptians, those who agreed with me and those who did not," Mr. Sisi said, adding that leading a country like Egypt is really great and difficult. The President asserted that he took a great pride in the Egyptian people and had firm confidence in the genius of the Egyptian nation. "My national choices of siding all the time with the will of the Egyptians have emanated from that confidence," the President said. President Sisi hailed the Armed Forces and the civilian Police for their sacrifices for the sake of the nation. He lauded them for having heeded the call to safeguard and protect the country against the powers of evil and terrorism. After focusing in his first term on the economic reforms, the President told the nation that he would give the priority in the coming four years to upgrading the health and education sectors. He said: "I promise in front of God, I am promising you, to work honestly for the country. Fighting for you. To keep our beloved Egypt at the forefront of Nations." He ended his speech by repeating: "Long Live Egypt. Long Live Egypt!" The House of Deputies (HoD) Speaker, Dr Ali Abdel Aal, delivered a speech in which he stressed that re-electing President Sisi for a second term give a clear message to world that the Egyptians were united and rallying behind their political leadership during the next four years. Dr. Abdel Aal cited stability and security provided by President Sisi as factors that have helped boost growth and development. He said that President Sisi's sweeping economic reforms had paved the way towards more growth. Under President Sisi's administration, Dr. Abdel Aal said, development in infrastructure had also helped attract investment and create thousands of jobs.
