Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. Morsi, the country's first democratically elected leader, says freedom of expression must be joined with responsibility in a speech that addressed the violent clashes that erupted across the Muslim world in reaction to an anti-Islam video produced in the United States. (AP Photo/David Karp)
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. Morsi, the country's first democratically elected leader, says freedom of expression must be joined with responsibility in a speech that addressed the violent clashes that erupted across the Muslim world in reaction to an anti-Islam video produced in the United States. (AP Photo/David Karp)
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, right, greets Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi at the closing session at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012 (AP Photo/David Karp)
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. Morsi, the country's first democratically elected leader, says freedom of expression must be joined with responsibility in a speech that addressed the violent clashes that erupted across the Muslim world in reaction to an anti-Islam video produced in the United States. (AP Photo/David Karp)
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. Morsi, the country's first democratically elected leader, says freedom of expression must be joined with responsibility in a speech that addressed the violent clashes that erupted across the Muslim world in reaction to an anti-Islam video produced in the United States. (AP Photo/David Karp)
NEW YORK (AP) ? Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi said freedom of expression must be used responsibly in a speech Tuesday to the Clinton Global Initiative in New York that hinted at looming tensions in the newly-democratic nation.
Morsi, a key figure of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, repeated several times that he was the "first, democratically elected, civilian president of Egypt" and earned applause by asking his audience to "see a new Egypt."
"I never imagined this moment," Morsi said. "We really have a new state in Egypt."
That state has faced a chaotic political climate since last year's mass protests brought down Egypt's aging dictator Hosni Mubarak.
Egypt, now governed by the conservative Muslim Brotherhood, has tussled with military officials and democracy activists over the future of the Arab world's most populous country.
Morsi called for limits on free speech, without providing details, saying the violent protests over an anti-Islam video required "some reflection." The protests have killed dozens of people, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya, since they began last week.
"We must acknowledge the importance of freedom of expression," he said. "We must also recognize that such freedom comes with responsibilities, especially when it comes with serious implications for international peace and stability."
His speech at the annual gala of former President Bill Clinton's foundation followed a Monday-night meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton that sought to repair ties that were strained severely after Egyptian demonstrators overran the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
Morsi insisted that all Egyptians enjoyed equal rights after the lecture's moderator ? Bill Clinton ? asked about the rights of women and the country's large Christian minority.
In the past, Morsi has said he does not believe Christians or women can serve as the country's leaders, based on his conservative interpretation of Islam.
Morsi called for a shakeup of global organizations like the U.N., saying they had to be more democratic ? a frequent cry of regional powers who resent the Security Council's permanent five members: the U.S., Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom.
Morsi appeared to single out Syria's backers ? Russia and China ? and Israel for criticism.
"I can't simply watch the blood that is being shed in Syria, or the children starving in Gaza, and claim that our model of global governance works," Morsi said.
Israel maintains a blockade on the impoverished Gaza Strip, which is ruled by the militant Hamas organization.
Morsi acknowledged the vast challenges his country faces ? high unemployment, a crippled infrastructure, sputtering economy and unchecked violence ? but said he remains patriotic and faithful.
"As an Egyptian, I know there is no limit to what humans can accomplish when people come together for a peaceful purpose," he said. "As a Muslim, I know God helps."
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