There is no shortage of difficult leadership jobs in the world today but Mohammed Morsi, President of Egypt, must have one of the most awesome of them.
He has to bring to economic and democratic life the most populous nation in the Arab world from the ruins of recent revolution and the longer years of dictatorial rule. A new constitution has been approved in a referendum and parliamentary elections are due in about two months.
However, even at so early a stage, it cannot be said that all is well.
The news yesterday that three prominent and widely respected opposition leaders -- Mohamed ElBaradei, Amr Mousa and Hamdeen Sabahi -- are to face an investigation into the possibility that they have committed treason is very worrying. Earlier in the week, after signing the new Constitution, Mr Morsi spoke on TV about his wish to consult with other parties and individuals but this inquiry, which he must have known about, seems to tell a different story. It is more like a relic of Mubarak times.
President Morsi comes from an Islamist background but he has spoken more than once about being a president for all Egyptians. Living up to that promise will not be easy for a multitude of reasons but it is in the long-term interests of Egypt itself, the Middle East and the wider world that he should resolutely do so.
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