Details added (first version published on 16:42)
Iran, Tehran Aug. 4 / Trend T. Jafarov /
The official ceremony of inauguration of new Iranian president Hassan Rouhani has begun today at 16:00 (local time) in Tehran.
The ceremony, which has began with anthem of Iran, is to last for 90 minutes. The anthem of the Islamic Republic was followed by the reading of Quran.
Numerous representatives of other countries are present at the inauguration ceremony. The delegations include presidents, prime ministers, vice presidents and parliament speakers. This is the first time that Iran is inviting foreign officials to attend the presidential inauguration ceremony.
Presidents of 10 countries are participating in the inauguration ceremony, among them are leaders from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Lebanon, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and others.
Also present at the ceremony are: former EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota, Chinese Culture Minister Wu Cai, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and Azerbaijan's parliament speaker Oktay Asadov.
Among other officials who attend the ceremony are - Vice president of Tanzania, Vice president of the Comoros, Vice president of Cuba, Vice president of Nicaragua, Foreign Minister of Guinea Bissau, and Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone.
Among Iranian officials present at the ceremony are head of the Leader's Office, Gholam-Hossein Mohammadi Golpayegani, Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the Chairman of the Assembly of Experts of Iran, Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani, Secretary of the Guardian Council Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, other members of the Guardian Council, and senior Iranian military commanders.
The speaker of Iranian parliament Ali Larijani thanked all the officials and guests for coming to the ceremony. He underlined the importance of this day of inauguration of the new president, and mentioned the importance of the parliament in Iran's history. The Speaker also underlined the problems of the Islamic World. Larijani wished success to president Rouhani, and said the parliament is ready for co-operation with the new administration for solving country's problems.
In his turn Sadeg Larijani underlined the importance of the swearing-in text of Hassan Rouhani, noting that the text shows what the new president and other officials should pay attention to. He also mentioned the special situation created in the country due to sanctions, and noted that the country will eventually get over it.
After the speeches, the new president of Iran, Hassan Rouhani will undergo the inauguration according to the 121st article of Iranian constitution.
On August 3, Rouhani met with the Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who officially endorsed Hassan Rohani as the country's new president for a four-year term.
On 14 June 2013, Hassan Rouhani won the presidential elections in Iran, gathering over 50 percent of total votes.
Rouhani's rivals at the last presidential elections, Mohammad Reza Aref, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Mohsen Rezaei, Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel, Saeed Jalili, Ali Akbar Velayati and Seyyed Mohammad Gharazi were also present.
Rouhani previously said that he will work towards the removal of western sanctions, adding that his government will adopt moderate policies and actions. He described the June 14 elections as great showcase of democracy, and praised high public turnout.
