Egyptian president-elect Mohammad Mursi paid tribute to Egypt’s Muslims and Christians alike and symbolically swore himself in as the country’s first elected civilian president before a huge crowds in Tahrir Square

Egyptian president-elect Mohammad Mursi paid tribute on Friday to Egypt's Muslims and Christians alike and symbolically swore himself in as the country's first elected civilian president before a huge crowds in Tahrir Square, the focal point of protests that ousted Hosni Mubarak last year.

Tens of thousands of people had gathered in Tahrir square to protest against decrees issued by the country's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf). The military stripped the presidency of many of its powers in recent weeks.

However, Mursi told supporters: "I promise you that I will not give up on any of the powers given to the president." He vowed to be a president for all Egyptians, saying: "The revolution must continue until all its objectives are met."

He promised a "civilian state" and praised "the square of the revolution, the square of freedom," in what he called an address to "the free world, Arabs, Muslims... the Muslims of Egypt, Christians of Egypt."

"I swear to preserve the republican system... and to preserve the independence" of Egypt, he said.

The presidency has announced that Mursi will be sworn in Saturday before the Constitutional Court, as demanded by Egypt's ruling military council.

Traditionally the president takes the oath in parliament, but Egypt's top court has ordered the disbanding of the legislature.

The military subsequently assumed legislative powers and also formed a powerful national security council headed by the president but dominated by generals.