Morsi: 'Rid the Middle East of nuclear weapons by 2013'

Egyptian president's first speech at UN President Mohammed Morsi gave his first speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, in which he said he represented the legitimacy of the Egyptian revolution. "I am the first Egyptian president elected by the people’s free will in the wake of a great,peaceful revolution" he said addressing the world's leaders at the UN headquarters in New York. "With the help of God, the people achieved what they wanted" he added.
"The Egyptian modern civil state is based on the rule of law, respect for human rights, democracy, dignity and social justice" he said.
Morsi told the UN General Assembly earlier on Wednesday that Egypt opposes foreign military intervention to stop the civil war in Syria and prefers an inclusive, negotiated settlement.
"Egypt is committed to pursue the sincere efforts it has been exerting to put an end to the humanitarian crisis in Syria, within an Arab, regional and international framework" Morsi said. "One that preserves the unity of this brotherly state, involves all factions of the Syrian people with no racial, religious or sectarian discrimination and spares Syria the dangers of foreign military intervention that we oppose."
On the Palestinian cause, he said the international community remains unable to solve the injustices facing the Palestinian people.
Morsi further emphasised the need of all states of the Middle East and North Africa region to sign on to and ratify the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"I say it very clearly, the only solution is to get rid of nuclear weapons, and all weapons of mass destruction" he said,calling for international efforts to achieve a nuclear weapon-free Middle East by the end of the current year.
However, he stressed the right of all nations in the region to peacefully use nuclear energy.
Israel remains the only country in the region that has not ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
In his speech, Morsi stressed his rejection of any insult to the Muslims' Prophet Mohamed. "We do not accept that anyone abuse him in a single word or action" he said.
He also said that immigrant Muslims are subject to discrimination and violation of their fundamental rights. "Attempts to discredit Muslim sanctity are unacceptable" he added.
"Islamophobia has become a phenomenon that we must face together."
Morsi concluded his speech by stressing the need to review economic policies and practices, in light of recurrent financial and economic crises that have recently plagued the global financial system.
"There is a need for new global economic governance centered on the people, which would consolidate cooperation between development partners on the basis of mutual benefits and interests" he said.