Egyptian Military Hands Over Power To Muslim Brotherhood

“Jihad is our path and death in the name of Allah is our goal”

(Reuters) - Egypt's new President Mohamed Mursi said on Saturday the military that took charge when Hosni Mubarak was overthrown last year had kept its promise to hand over power, speaking at a ceremony to mark the formal transfer of authority.

Mursi's comments followed a speech by Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, who heads the military council. In his remarks, Tantawi also said the army had kept its pledge to oversee the nation until a president was elected.

The army council, before Mursi was sworn following his victory in an election this month, curbed presidential powers and took other steps to maintain a strong grip on Egypt.

"The Egyptian people and the ... world are witnessing a unique model, not seen before, of how power is transferred from the Egyptian military forces by the will of the people to an elected, civilian power," Mursi said.

"The armed forces handed over power with assurance and they kept their promise," he said, adding in his comments before generals and troops on parade that no one would "touch any of your rights" and promised to support their national work.