Iran's Rouhani takes oath, Ansari attends inauguration

Hassan Rouhani, a moderate cleric who was a surprise winner in the recent elections, took oath today as Iran's seventh President at a ceremony attended by a galaxy of world leaders, including Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India, with which he has pledged to expand ties.
The 64-year-old former nuclear negotiator, who has committed himself to greater international engagement for Iran which is battling sanctions over its nuclear programme, was administered the oath in the Parliament by Sadeq Larijani, the head of the country's judicial system.
Rouhani was officially endorsed by the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday for a four-year term.

After being sworn in, Rouhani told the Milli Majlis, "Iran is seeking peace and stability in the region. Iran has been a cornerstone for stability in this turbulent region."
Rouhani said that his country opposes any government and political change through the use of force, oppression, hegemony and military intervention.
Rouhani takes over the Presidentship at a time when western nations are stepping up pressure on Iran, accusing it of pursuing a nuclear programme as a cover for a drive for a weapons capability.

Iran insists that its programme is for peaceful purposes such as power generation and medical purposes only.

In his first public comments after assuming power, Rouhani said, "The only path to interact with Iran is through negotiations on equal grounds, reciprocal trust-building, mutual respect and reducing hostilities".
"If you want a proper answer, do not speak with Iran with the language of sanctions but with the language of respect," he said, adding Iran would "not surrender to sanctions, nor be threatened with war."
Reflecting warm bilateral ties, Ansari flew into the Iranian capital by a special plane to represent India at the ceremony. He was welcomed by deputy foreign minister Abbas Garchy.
Ansari, who was earlier India's ambassador to Iran, also met Ali Larijani, speaker of the Majlis.

India's representation was upgraded after earlier plans for External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid to attend were dropped.
Soon after his victory in the June 14 Presidential polls, Rouhani had pledged to expand relations with India calling it his foreign policy priority. He visited India in 2002.