Mohammed Morsi has been sworn in as the country's first civilian, democratically elected president at a historic ceremony in Cairo.

Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate, read the oath before the Supreme Constitutional Court.

He promised to respect the constitution and the rule of law, and to protect the people of Egypt.

He is now due to speak at Cairo University before going to an army base for the handover from military rule.

On Friday, he praised crowds in Tahrir Square, the focal point of protests that ousted Hosni Mubarak last year.

Morsi swore a symbolic oath before thousands of people who had gathered 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, Morsi told supporters: "I promise you that I will not give up on any of the powers given to the president."

He promised to be a president for all Egyptians, saying: "The revolution must continue until all its objectives are met."

At every stage Morsi has moved to reassure those nervous about the Muslim Brotherhood, both at home and abroad, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo.

It is a mixture of populism and pragmatism that he is going to need for the battles ahead, our correspondent adds.

Morsi took his oath of office about half an hour later than scheduled at the constitutional court - not as originally planned the parliament, which was dissolved by the SCAF last week.

The assembly, elected last November, was dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood-backed Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) and other Islamists.