Netanyahu´s office responds to Islamist´s victory in Egyptian presidential elections; says peace ´is in the interest of the two peoples´

A few hours after Mohamed Morsi was declared Egypt´s first Islamist president Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu´s office issued a statement expressing hope that the cooperation between Jerusalem and Cairo would continue.

The statement also noted that upholding the peace accord signed in 1979 was in the interest of both countries.

"Israel appreciates the democratic process in Egypt and respects its outcome," the PMO said after the Muslim Brotherhood´s candidate was declared successor to ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.

"Israel expects to continue cooperation with the Egyptian administration on the basis of the peace accord between the two countries, which is in the interest of the two peoples and contributes to regional stability."

Earlier, officials in Jerusalem said the election results in Egypt were predictable and that Israel would wait to see what Cairo´s next steps will be.

Morsi narrowly defeated Mubarak´s last Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik in a race that raised political tensions in Egypt to a fever pitch. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 06/24/12)