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Ahmadinejad wins Iran endorsement Iran poll critics shun ceremony
(about 2 hours later)
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has formally endorsed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as winner of Iran's 12 June presidential election, state TV says. Senior Iranian political figures appear to have snubbed the formal endorsement of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The ayatollah backed the incumbent two days before the official inauguration amid tales of post-election torture. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former president and head of the country's Guardian Council, was among those not at Monday's ceremony, state TV said.
Leading opposition figures and two former presidents were not at the ceremony, state-run al-Alam TV said. Another former president, Mohammad Khatami, was also absent, as was opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Correspondents say Mr Ahmadinejad now faces a struggle to assemble a team of ministers acceptable to parliament. Mr Ahmadinejad won a June election but allegations of fraud sparked protests.
Since the violent aftermath of the disputed election there has been open disagreement among senior figures in the Iranian political establishment. Thousands of Iranians took to the streets in the largest mass demonstrations in Iran since the 1979 revolution, which brought about the current Islamic system of government.
In June, Ayatollah Khamenei offered his backing to Mr Ahmadinejad at the height of the post-election protests. Public protests have ebbed since in the face of a strong police and militia presence on the streets, but the country's political elite has been been in open disagreement about how to move forward.
But senior and respected figures, including the two former presidents, Mohammad Khatami and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, have spoken out against the process. Mr Ahmadinejad will be inaugurated for a second term in office on Wednesday, and will have two weeks to form a government which can be approved by parliament.
But he is now a deeply unpopular president and Ayatollah Khamenei may even now be wondering whether he should stake his future on the incumbent, says the BBC's Tehran correspondent, Jon Leyne.
Hints of tension
In a ceremony broadcast live on state-run TV, Ayatollah Khamenei gave his backing to Mr Ahmadinejad ahead of Wednesday's formal inauguration.
INAUGURAL WEEK Monday: endorsed by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali KhameneiWednesday: sworn in by parliament Profile: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Who's who in IranINAUGURAL WEEK Monday: endorsed by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali KhameneiWednesday: sworn in by parliament Profile: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Who's who in Iran
Neither man was at Monday's endorsement ceremony, al-Alam TV said, while opposition figurehead Mir-Hossein Mousavi and another defeated presidential candidate, Mehdi Karroubi, also stayed away. He declared the incumbent president to be the victor of June's election with more than 60% of the vote.
"Iranian people have voted in favour of a fight against arrogance, to confront destitution and spread justice," al-Alam quoted Ayatollah Khamenei as saying. "Iranian people have voted in favour of a fight against arrogance, to confront destitution and spread justice," al-Alam TV quoted the ayatollah as saying.
The BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says the process of formally installing Mr Ahmadinejad for his second term began despite growing criticism of the president from the opposition and from many conservatives. Mr Ahmadinejad, 52, accepted a decree from Ayatollah Khamenei, bowing as the supreme leader offered his hand.
The real challenge to Mr Ahmadinejad after his swearing-in could be whether he can assemble a credible government that can be endorsed by parliament, our correspondent says. Our correspondent says pictures showed a moment of confusion between the two men as the supreme leader appeared to offer his hand only for Mr Ahmadinejad to reach out and kiss his shoulder.
The awkward exchange hinted at the tension which exists at the highest levels of the Iranian government, he adds.
But the real challenge to Mr Ahmadinejad after his swearing-in could be whether he can assemble a credible government that can be endorsed by parliament, our correspondent says.
Protester trialsProtester trials
The inauguration events come as the authorities continue a crackdown on many of those they allege were involved in directing mass demonstrations after the election results.The inauguration events come as the authorities continue a crackdown on many of those they allege were involved in directing mass demonstrations after the election results.
Mousavi (r) and Khatami have both denounced the trials
About 100 reformists and activists were put on trial in Tehran on Saturday.About 100 reformists and activists were put on trial in Tehran on Saturday.
IRANIAN UNREST 12 June Presidential election saw incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-elected with 63% of voteMain challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi called for result to be annulled, alleging poll fraudMass street protests saw at least 30 people killed and foreign media restricted
Both Mr Mousavi and former President Mohammad Khatami denounced the hearings, which continued on Sunday. The charges include conspiracy, rioting and vandalism.Both Mr Mousavi and former President Mohammad Khatami denounced the hearings, which continued on Sunday. The charges include conspiracy, rioting and vandalism.
They were among thousands of Iranians who rejected the official declaration that Mr Ahmadinejad had won the election.They were among thousands of Iranians who rejected the official declaration that Mr Ahmadinejad had won the election.
Televised confessions have been broadcast, in which a former vice-president, among others, thanked his interrogator for showing him the error of his ways.Televised confessions have been broadcast, in which a former vice-president, among others, thanked his interrogator for showing him the error of his ways.
But the process looks more like an attempt to intimidate the opposition than to present credible evidence, our correspondent says.But the process looks more like an attempt to intimidate the opposition than to present credible evidence, our correspondent says.
IRANIAN UNREST 12 June Presidential election saw incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-elected with 63% of voteMain challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi called for result to be annulled, alleging poll fraudMass street protests saw at least 30 people killed and foreign media restricted
Mr Mousavi accused the authorities of forcing detainees to confess to the crimes.Mr Mousavi accused the authorities of forcing detainees to confess to the crimes.
"The teeth of the torturers and confession-extorters have reached to the bones of the people," he said."The teeth of the torturers and confession-extorters have reached to the bones of the people," he said.
"Witnessing such trumped-up trials, the only judgment that the conscience of humanity can make is the moral collapse and discredit of its directors.""Witnessing such trumped-up trials, the only judgment that the conscience of humanity can make is the moral collapse and discredit of its directors."
Foreign media, including the BBC, have been restricted in their coverage of Iran since the election protests turned into confrontations with the authorities in which at least 30 people were killed.Foreign media, including the BBC, have been restricted in their coverage of Iran since the election protests turned into confrontations with the authorities in which at least 30 people were killed.
Post-election protests saw the largest mass demonstrations in Iran since the 1979 revolution, which brought about the current Islamic system of government.
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