Islamist Morsi Wins Egypt Election

Results announced by election commission give win to Muslim Brotherhood-backed candidate
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 24, 2012 9:38 AM CDT
Islamist Morsi Wins Egypt Election
Egyptian protesters shout slogans in Tahrir Square as the country awaits the outcome of a presidential runoff vote in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, June 23, 2012.   (AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

Islamist Mohamed Morsi has won Egypt's closely contested presidential runoff election, the country's election commission said today in a protracted announcement that held an entire nation mesmerized, reports al-Jazeera. Morsi triumphed over Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister, Ahmed Shafiq, garnering almost 52% of the vote, reports the BBC. The televised results, which resulted in huge cheers in Tahrir Square, were announced as army tanks were deployed, government employees were sent home early, and police were ordered to use force against lawbreakers. The AP has more details on Morsi and Shafiq here. and al-Jazeera has a photo of Tahrir Square moments after the announcement here. (More Egypt stories.)

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