Iran's reformist President Mohammad Khatami was officially sworn in Wednesday for a second and final four-year term in an official ceremony before parliament, reported the official Iranian news agency, IRNA.
The moderate cleric took his oath of office before the top officials of the country and the MPs, pledging to "guard the official religion, the Islamic Republic and the Constitution."
President Khatami won a second landslide victory by securing some 77 percent of the vote in June, a manifestation of the Iranians' unequivocal backing for his reform programs and détente policies, according to the agency.
He was initially scheduled to take the oath of office on Sunday, but the investiture was postponed after the MPs did not vote for the appointment of two lawyers nominated to sit on the Guardian Council, the state body charged with overseeing elections and parliamentary matters.
The delay continued until the remaining two members to the council, comprised of six lawyers and six clerics, were approved by Parliament – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
