New Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi apologises to woman sexually assaulted during his inauguration

'I am apologising to every Egyptian woman,' says former coup leader

Former army chief was sworn in after a landslide victory (Getty Images)

Egypt's newly sworn-in president has apologised in person to a woman who was sexually assaulted by a mob during weekend celebrations marking his inauguration.

Local television networks showed a visibly moved Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visiting the woman in a Cairo hospital.

“I have come to tell you and every Egyptian woman that I am sorry. I am apologising to every Egyptian woman,” said al-Sisi, a former military chief who ousted the country's first elected president nearly a year ago.

Several women were assaulted during Sunday's inaugural festivities. The attacks were a grim reminder of one of Egyptian society's darkest sides and coincided with al-Sisi starring in carefully choreographed ceremonies held at two of the capital's most opulent presidential palaces and attended by hundreds of local and foreign dignitaries.

AP