[An Nahar] Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Morsi told supporters on Thursday that Egypt was on the path to "freedom and democracy," a day after he assumed sweeping powers that critics said made him a dictator."Political stability, social stability and economic stability are what I want and that is what I am working for," he told an Islamist rally outside the presidential palace.
Secular opponents staged a rival rally in Cairo's Tahrir Square to denounce Morsi's power grab after he issued a decree on Thursday that gives his decisions immunity from judicial oversight.
"I have always been, and still am, and will always be, God willing, with the pulse of the people, what the people want, with clear legitimacy," he said from a podium before thousands of supporters.
"God wants welfare, stability, freedom and democracy for this country," he added.
"I am with you but I'm also with all of Egypt's sons, with those who support us and with those who oppose us and I will never take sides," Morsi told his supporters.
The president stressed that the values of freedom, democracy and power rotation "must be above all else."
He noted that no one can claim that they own the revolution, "because the revolution is led by its objectives: a new and secure Egypt."
The president stressed that the presence of an opposition movement is essential. "I'm not worried at all that there is an opposition. We rather need a strong opposition and I will preserve all its rights so that it can practice its role," he said.
"I want to tell everyone that we have equal rights in this country and Egypt is for us all," said Morsi.
He noted that he did not take his controversial decisions "with the aim of confronting anyone."
"I must put myself on the right path in order to achieve the objectives," Morsi added.
The defiant leader stressed that he "will not allow anyone to act outside the umbrella of the country."
Commenting on the unrest that erupted in the wake of the constitutional declaration he issued, Morsi said: "We will not tolerate corrupt money and I cannot allow thugs to harm the country's security."
Accusing the regime of toppled strongman Hosni Mubarak
...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011...
of playing a role in the protests, Morsi added: "Corrupt money collected during the corrupt era is being paid to thugs so that they attack state institutions, but the revolution will go on."
"We will not be lenient in implementing the law firmly against those who disobey it," he vowed.
In remarks carried by the official MENA news agency earlier on Friday, Morsi said: "No one can stop our march forward... I am performing my duty to please God and the nation and I take decisions after I consult with everyone."
Morsi delivered his Cairo speech as protesters set fire to Moslem Brüderbund offices across the country and amid rival rallies and festivities.
The offices of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), the Moslem Brüderbund's political arm, were torched in the canal cities of Ismailiya and Port Saeed.
A branch office of the Islamist party was set on fire in Alexandria and protesters were heading to the group's main office in the Mediterranean city's Sidi Gaber neighborhood, security officials said.
"The situation in Alexandria is tense and security forces are eager to exercise self-restraint and maintain security and protect vital establishments," General Abdelmawgud Lutfi, head of Alexandria security, said in a statement.