Mohammed Mursi, of the Muslim Brotherhood, was announced as the winner of Egypt's contentious presidential election on Sunday.
Beating rival, and former Mubarak ere Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, with 51.73% of the vote, Mursi was declared the winner by the Higher Presidential Election Commission. Shafiq obtained 48.27% of the vote.
Tens of thousands of Egyptians flocked to Tahrir Square to celebrate his victor, shouting "down with military rule!"
In his victory speech, Mursi thanked the "blood, tears and sacrifices" of his fellow Egyptians.
Mursi said,
"Today I am a president for all Egyptians, wherever they may be,"
"Thanks to our unity and our love for each other, we will able to make a respectable future for ourselves."
According to the state-run news channel, Nile News TV, the country's military ruler, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, also congratulated Mursi on his victory.
In a statement, the White House said,
"We believe it is essential for the Egyptian government to continue to fulfil Egypt's role as a pillar of regional peace, security and stability."
The British Foreign Secretary William Hague said,
“I congratulate the Egyptian people for their commitment to the democratic process and electing a new President of Egypt."
“Britain will support the Egyptian people and their leaders as they take steps to consolidate their democratic rights and institutions and to reinvigorate the Egyptian economy.”
Speaking to Reuters, Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the Gaza strip's Hamas government welcomed Mursi's victory, and said,
"We will look to Egypt to play a big, leading role, a historic role, regarding the Palestinian cause, in helping the Palestinian nation get freedom, return home, and totally end the Gaza siege,"