In an interview with Iran's Fars news agency, Mr Morsi said forging closer relations "will create a balance of pressure in the region, and this is part of my programme".

Fars said he was speaking a few hours before the result of the Egyptian election was announced on Sunday, and that a full version of the interview would be published later.

Mr Morsi was declared the winner of a divisive presidential run-off, becoming the first Islamist to be elected president of the Arab world's most populous nation.

He won 51.73 per cent of the vote against ex-premier Ahmed Shafiq, and vowed to be a leader for all Egyptians.

"I will be a president for all Egyptians," Mr Morsi said just hours after he was declared the winner.

Source: telegraph