Ahmadinejad sworn in as president in Iran

MAHMOUD Ahmadinejad was sworn in for a second term in office as president of Iran today.

Ahmadinejad appealed for national unity and denounced foreign interference in Iran, in his inauguration speech before parliament.

The president took the oath and pledged to protect the constitution and frontiers of Iran.

He focused on Iran’s foreign policy, saying he would make it “stronger and with more effective new plans”.

Ahmadinejad did not directly address the Iran street demonstrations against his proclaimed election victory, but said his government would “resist any violation of law and interference”.

And the president made only a vague reference to the West and the US, adding that “some countries” had not recognised the elections.