HASSAN ROHANI is Iran’s new President

World reactions to Rohani’s victory

Meanwhile, Foreign countries have responded to the victory of Hassan Rohani in Iran’s Presidential ballot held on Friday, June 14.

The US government said on Saturday that it respected the results of the election. White House Spokesman Jay Carney expressed hope the Iranian government would “make responsible choices” for a better future.

The French Foreign Ministry also praised Iranian people’s resolve in attending the elections.

A statement by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said France was ready to work with Rohani on the Iranian nuclear programme and the Syria conflict.

Meanwhile, the British Foreign Office called on the president-elect to set Iran on a different course. It urged Rohani to lead Iran toward a constructive relationship with the international community.

European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton pointed out that the EU was committed to working with Rohani on Iran’s nuclear issue.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai also congratulated Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and the Iranian nation on Rohani’s election win. Karzai called for further expansion of bilateral ties under the new Iranian administration.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt also said his country needed interaction with Iran.

Hassan Rohani emerged victorious in Iran’s 11th presidential election marked by a high voter turnout.

Rohani won 50.7 percent of a total of 36,704,156 ballots counted, with 18,613,329 votes, announced Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar on Saturday.

Principlist candidate Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf came in second with 6,077,292 votes. Principlist Saeed Jalili garnered 4,168,946 votes, and independent Mohsen Rezaei 3,884,412 votes. Principlist Ali-Akbar Velayati and independent Mohammad Gharazi trailed behind in fifth and sixth places, with 2,268,753 and 446,015 votes respectively.

A total of 1,245,409 ballots were declared invalid.

Nearly 50.5 million Iranians, including more than 1.6 million first-time voters, were eligible to participate in the June 14 elections. The Interior Ministry put voter turnout at 72.7 percent. Rohani currently represents the Leader in the Supreme National Security Council, and is a member of the Expediency Council and the Assembly of Experts. He is also president of the Expediency Council’s Center for Strategic Research. - PRESS TV

IRAN: Moderate cleric Hassan Rohani said his win in Iran’s Presidential election was a “victory of progress” over extremism as thousands celebrated in the streets and world powers cautiously welcomed the result.

Tens of thousands of jubilant Iranians took to the streets of Tehran Saturday, toting pictures of 64-year-old Rohani and chanting pro-reform slogans as news of his victory spread, ending eight years of conservative grip on the top office.

Many were dressed in purple, Rowhani’s campaign colour, and others in green, the colour of the reformist movement.

“Tonight we rejoice as there is once more hope in Iran,” said Ashkan, 31, holding a poster of Rowhani and wearing a green wristband.

Rohani was declared outright winner with 50.70 percent of votes cast in Friday’s election.

In his first statement after his win was confirmed, he called on world powers to treat Iran with respect and recognise its rights, an apparent allusion to its controversial nuclear policy. “This is a victory of intelligence, of moderation, of progress... over extremism,” Rohani said.

AFP