US urges Egypt's new leader to enact reforms

The White House is urging Egypt's president-elect to adopt democratic reforms, including governing with accountability and transparency and protecting the universal rights of all Egyptians.

The White House is urging Egypt's president-elect to adopt democratic reforms, including governing with accountability and transparency and protecting the universal rights of all Egyptians.

Former army chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi won Egypt's landslide election with nearly 97% of the vote.

In a statement, the White House says it was pleased that international observers were allowed inside Egypt for the vote and that balloting proceeded in a calm and peaceful manner. However, the White House says it has concerns about the "restrictive political environment" in which the election took place.

The White House says President Barack Obama, who is traveling in Europe this week, plans to speak to el-Sissi in the coming days.

As army chief, El-Sissi ousted Egypt's first democratically elected president last summer.