The swearing-in ceremony for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was held at the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) in Tehran on Saturday.
Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, President Ahmadinejad and Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel delivered speeches during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected president.
The ceremony was to be attended by former president Mohammad Khatami, the Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, members of the Guardian Council, members of the Experts Assembly, senior civilian and military officials and foreign diplomatic corps in Iran.
The ceremony was held two days after the presidency of Ahmadinejad was confirmed by the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.
According to Majlis regulations, the president must introduce his cabinet within two weeks of his swearing-in ceremony, following which the legislators would start the debate on the competency of the nominees, IRNA reported. In case some candidates are rejected by Majlis, the president must introduce new nominees within a period of 15 days.
The ceremony held one day after Iran rejected an EU package of commercial and technological incentives in exchange for a commitment not to develop nuclear weapons.
Europe offered Iran long-term support for its civilian nuclear program, including access to nuclear fuel, if Tehran not to develop nuclear arms. "The proposals are unacceptable," nuclear negotiator Hossein Moussavian said, describing them as a "clear violation" of agreements between Iran and the European Union. "They negate Iran’s inalienable right," he said.
