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Iran set to swear in Ahmadinejad Ahmadinejad begins new Iran term
(about 5 hours later)
Iran is preparing to swear in President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for a second term in office, following weeks of post-election unrest in the country. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been sworn in for a second term as Iran's president, after weeks of post-election unrest.
Opposition supporters who dispute the poll result are expected to hold protests to coincide with the ceremony. Opposition supporters who dispute the poll result have gathered near the parliament building where the ceremony was held to protest.
Germany, France, Britain and the US all said they would not be sending letters of congratulation to Mr Ahmadinejad.Germany, France, Britain and the US all said they would not be sending letters of congratulation to Mr Ahmadinejad.
At least 30 people died during the street protests which followed the 12 June poll.At least 30 people died during the street protests which followed the 12 June poll.
Mr Ahmadinejad was formally endorsed as president on Monday by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has solidly backed him throughout the unrest.Mr Ahmadinejad was formally endorsed as president on Monday by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has solidly backed him throughout the unrest.
Mr Khamenei said Mr Ahmadinejad was the rightful winner and that Iranians had "voted in favour of a fight against arrogance, to confront destitution and spread justice".Mr Khamenei said Mr Ahmadinejad was the rightful winner and that Iranians had "voted in favour of a fight against arrogance, to confront destitution and spread justice".
Once sworn in, Mr Ahmadinejad will have two weeks to form a government that must then be approved by parliament. Mr Ahmadinejad now has two weeks to form a government that must then be approved by parliament.
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
The BBC's Tehran correspondent, Jon Leyne, said forming an acceptable, credible government could be the real challenge for the president.The BBC's Tehran correspondent, Jon Leyne, said forming an acceptable, credible government could be the real challenge for the president.
He has been dogged by controversy in recent weeks, becoming embroiled in a series of disputes with conservative politicians who would normally be his allies.He has been dogged by controversy in recent weeks, becoming embroiled in a series of disputes with conservative politicians who would normally be his allies.
After Monday's endorsement ceremony, witnesses said security forces prevented hundreds of opposition supporters from staging protests in Tehran.After Monday's endorsement ceremony, witnesses said security forces prevented hundreds of opposition supporters from staging protests in Tehran.
Mr Ahmadinejad's predecessors as president - Mohammad Khatami and Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani - did not attend the event.Mr Ahmadinejad's predecessors as president - Mohammad Khatami and Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani - did not attend the event.
Also missing were the two defeated opposition candidates, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.Also missing were the two defeated opposition candidates, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.
Iran's parliament was dotted with empty seats for Wednesday's swearing-in.
Mr Karroubi said on Tuesday that neither he nor Mr Mousavi had stopped contesting the declared election result.Mr Karroubi said on Tuesday that neither he nor Mr Mousavi had stopped contesting the declared election result.
"We will continue to protest and we will never collaborate with this government. We will not harm it, but we will criticise what it does," Spain's El Pais quoted him as saying."We will continue to protest and we will never collaborate with this government. We will not harm it, but we will criticise what it does," Spain's El Pais quoted him as saying.
Western objectionsWestern objections
Several states which have criticised the elections said they would not be sending customary letters of congratulations to Mr Ahmadinejad to mark his reappointment as president.Several states which have criticised the elections said they would not be sending customary letters of congratulations to Mr Ahmadinejad to mark his reappointment as president.
More than 100 people are on trial over the post-election violenceMore than 100 people are on trial over the post-election violence
"I don't have any reason to believe we will send any letter," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs."I don't have any reason to believe we will send any letter," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
A spokesman for the German government said that "in view of the circumstances of the controversial re-election, the chancellor will not, as usual, write the normal letter of congratulation".A spokesman for the German government said that "in view of the circumstances of the controversial re-election, the chancellor will not, as usual, write the normal letter of congratulation".
Similar comments were made by Britain and France.Similar comments were made by Britain and France.
More than 100 people, including some members of the opposition movement, went on trial in Iran on Saturday for their alleged involvement in the post-election violence.More than 100 people, including some members of the opposition movement, went on trial in Iran on Saturday for their alleged involvement in the post-election violence.
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.