Mohammed Morsi moves into Mubarak’s presidential office

Egyptian President-elect Mohammed Morsi on Monday moved into the palace of the man who once jailed him.

His swift move into deposed leader Hosni Mubarak’s office was a potent symbol as Morsi begins forming a cabinet and working to calm a politically divided and economically frayed nation.

He also met with advisers to discuss strategies for strengthening his hand against Egypt’s military leaders, who remain suspicious of his Islamist leanings.

Once a political prisoner, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate’s election victory and subsequent police escort to the Orouba palace were stunning moments in Egypt.

Morsi, Egypt’s first freely elected president, faces pivotal tests in the days ahead. To unite the country, he must choose a cabinet that mirrors Egypt’s political diversity; move swiftly on an economic plan to overcome years of poverty and corruption; and nudge the army to restore presidential powers it curtailed this month.