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Hassan Rouhani takes over as Iran president | Hassan Rouhani takes over as Iran president |
(21 days later) | |
Cleric Hassan Rouhani has officially replaced Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president of Iran. | Cleric Hassan Rouhani has officially replaced Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president of Iran. |
Mr Rouhani's election has been endorsed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a ceremony in the capital, Tehran. | Mr Rouhani's election has been endorsed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a ceremony in the capital, Tehran. |
He won the presidential poll in June, promising to reform and to put an end to Iran's international isolation. | He won the presidential poll in June, promising to reform and to put an end to Iran's international isolation. |
The ceremony marks the handover of power, but his public inauguration does not take place until Sunday. | The ceremony marks the handover of power, but his public inauguration does not take place until Sunday. |
The 64-year-old is a former nuclear negotiator for Iran and was an Islamic activist before the 1979 Revolution. | The 64-year-old is a former nuclear negotiator for Iran and was an Islamic activist before the 1979 Revolution. |
Final say | Final say |
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Rouhani said: ''I have assumed this responsibility with the support of those people who want change, who want a better life, away from corruption, poverty and discrimination, people who want more respect and dignity, and hope in a secure future." | Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Rouhani said: ''I have assumed this responsibility with the support of those people who want change, who want a better life, away from corruption, poverty and discrimination, people who want more respect and dignity, and hope in a secure future." |
He has the support of Iran's reform movement, which wants the new president to release political prisoners and have international sanctions lifted. | He has the support of Iran's reform movement, which wants the new president to release political prisoners and have international sanctions lifted. |
But while he may be taking over as president, he will not be Iran's main decision-maker, says the BBC's Iran correspondent James Reynolds in London. | But while he may be taking over as president, he will not be Iran's main decision-maker, says the BBC's Iran correspondent James Reynolds in London. |
In the Islamic Republic, it is the Supreme Leader, not the president, who has the final say, our correspondent adds. | In the Islamic Republic, it is the Supreme Leader, not the president, who has the final say, our correspondent adds. |
The day before he took office, Mr Rouhani called Israel an "old wound on the body of the Islamic world", as Iran marked its annual Jerusalem (Quds) Day. | |
His remarks echo those of other Iranian leaders on the day dedicated to supporting the Palestinians and denouncing Israel. | His remarks echo those of other Iranian leaders on the day dedicated to supporting the Palestinians and denouncing Israel. |
Iran has denied Israel's right to exist since the 1979 Islamic revolution. | Iran has denied Israel's right to exist since the 1979 Islamic revolution. |
In his last interview before stepping aside on Friday, Mr Ahmadinejad also attacked Israel, warning of "storm brewing" in the region that would uproot Zionism, according to AFP news agency. | In his last interview before stepping aside on Friday, Mr Ahmadinejad also attacked Israel, warning of "storm brewing" in the region that would uproot Zionism, according to AFP news agency. |
Many Iranians believe Mr Ahmadinejad, elected twice in controversial polls, has put Iran on the path to economic ruin and confrontation with the outside world. | Many Iranians believe Mr Ahmadinejad, elected twice in controversial polls, has put Iran on the path to economic ruin and confrontation with the outside world. |
Correction 23 August 2013: This story has been amended to make clear that Hassan Rouhani's remarks on Jerusalem Day alluded to the state of Israel, rather than just areas under its occupation. |