Egypt leader says democracy is back, Amid multitude of woes

In this photo provided by Egypt's state news agency MENA, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi
, addresses parliament in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. El-Sissi, said his country has established a democratic system after years of turmoil following the 2011 uprising, but rights groups say his rule has been marked by an unprecedented crackdown on dissent. El-Sissi declared the completion of Egypt's transition to democratic rule in a 32-minute address to parliament, a 596-member chamber packed with his supporters.

Egypt's president said Saturday that his country has established democratic and constitutional rule after years of turmoil following the 2011 uprising, but rights groups say he has presided over an unprecedented crackdown on dissent.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi declared the completion of Egypt's transition to democratic rule in a 32-minute address to parliament, a 596-member chamber packed with his supporters. In practices reminiscent of Egypt's past autocratic regimes, state television labeled the president's speech "historic" before it started, and some lawmakers, in a show of patriotism, placed Egypt's red, black and white flags before them in the chamber. Several others greeted el-Sissi's arrival in the chamber with shouts of "We love you, Mr. President!"