“Mr. President, my presence here today in the General Assembly has multiple significance. I am the first Egyptian civilian President elected democratically and freely following a great peaceful revolution hailed by the inside world.
“This revolution established a genuine legitimacy through the effort of all Egyptians inside and outside Egypt and with the grace of God.
“Today, every Egyptian shares this sense of self confidence allowing all of them to claim a higher moral ground. We have taken several steps on the road to establishing the modern state the Egyptians aspire to see - one that is in tune with the present based on the rule of law, democracy and respect for human rights. A constitutional state that does not compromise the values firmly embedded in the souls of all Egyptians. A state that seeks justice, truth, freedom, dignity and social justice.
“The Egyptian revolution that was founded on the legitimacy that I represent - the legitimacy that I represent before you today - was not the product of a fleeting moment or a brief uprising nor was it a product of the winds of change of spring or autumn.
“Rather, this revolution and all the ones preceding it and following it in the region were triggered by a long struggle of genuine national movements that sought a life of pride and dignity for all citizens…”
