Iran poll critics shun ceremony

          
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          I1fl NEWS
          Iran poll critics shun ceremony
          Senior Iranian political figures appear to have snubbed the formal endorsement of Mahmoud
          Ahmadinejad as president by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
          His predecessors as president, Mohammad Khatami and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, did not attend the
          ceremony.
          Also missing were the two opposition candidates defeated in June's election - that was mired in claims of
          rigging - Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.
          Later, riot police reportedly prevented several opposition protests in Tehran.
          After the 12 June election, thousands of Iranians took to the streets in the largest mass demonstrations
          since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
          Hints of tension
          The BBC's Tehran correspondent, Jon Leyne, says public protests have ebbed since, in the face of mass
          arrests and a strong police presence on the streets.
          But Iran's political elite has been in open disagreement about how to move forward and opposition to the
          president continues to grow, our correspondent adds.
          Mr Ahmadinejad will be inaugurated for a second term on Wednesday, and will have two weeks to form a
          government that must be approved by parliament.
          In Monday's ceremony, broadcast live on the state-run Arabic and English TV, but not on the Farsi
          channels, Ayatollah Khamenei formally gave his backing to Mr Ahmadinejad.
          Describing last month's poll as a “golden page” in Iran's political history, he declared the incumbent the
          victor with more than 60% of the vote.
          ANALYSIS
          Jon Leyne Tehran correspondent, BBC News By endorsing the disputed election
          victory, Ayatollah Khamenei has tied his political future, and perhaps even the future
          of the Islamic Republic, to the fate of this controversial president. Today that bond
          was sealed. But the leader must already be wondering whether he might need to
          jettison the president to secure his own future, even though it would cause him
          enormous political damage. The real threat to Mr Ahmadinejad could come from his
          former allies. An increasing number have been expressing doubts about the
          president's behaviour since the election. As the president attempts to form a new
          cabinet, and win approval by parliament, his troubles could just be beginning.
          “Iranian people have voted in favour of a fight against arrogance, to confront destitution and spread
          justice,” al-Alam TV quoted the Supreme Leader as saying.
          Mr Ahmadinejad, 52, accepted a decree from Ayatollah Khamenei, bowing as the Supreme Leader offered
          his hand.
          There was apparent confusion between the two men as the Supreme Leader appeared to offer his hand,
          only for Mr Ahmadinejad to reach out and kiss his shoulder.
          The official Irna news agency later reported that Mr Ahmadinejad had not kissed Ayatollah Khamenei's
          hand or cheek because he had a cold.
          Whatever the reason, the strangely awkward moment was a graphic representation of the sometimes
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          difficult relationship between the two leaders, says our correspondent.
          After the ceremony, witnesses said hundreds of people had attempted to hold a demonstration in Vanak
          Square in the north of Tehran, but that they were dispersed the Revolutionary Guards, the Basij militia
          and police.
          One protester called Maryam told BBC Persian the protest had been peaceful and that they were attacked
          indiscriminately.
          “Plain-clothed officers started attacking people from the middle of the crowd,” she said. “People were
          chased away and many were beaten up. Electric batons and tear gas were being used to displace the
          crowd.”
          There were also reports of a demonstration being prevented by riot police in Vali Asr Square. Mr Karroubi
          is also said to have appeared at one rally.
          Our correspondent says the real challenge to Mr Ahmadinejad after his swearing-in could be whether he
          can assemble a credible government that can be endorsed by parliament.
          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 promoted a close ally, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie, who had angered the establishment by suggesting
          that Iran was friends with the Israeli people.
          The appointment led to anger among conservatives and the resignation of one minister.
          Protester trials
          The confirmation took place as the authorities continue a crackdown on many of those they allege were
          involved in directing mass demonstrations after the election results.
          About 100 reformists and activists were put on trial in Tehran on Saturday.
          Both Mr Mousavi and former President Khatami denounced the hearings, which continued on Sunday. The
          charges include conspiracy, rioting and vandalism.
          INAUGURAL WEEK
          • Monday: endorsed by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
          • Wednesday: sworn in by parliament
          They were among thousands of Iranians who rejected the official declaration that Mr Ahmadinejad had
          won the election.
          Televised confessions have been broadcast, in which a former vice-president, among others, thanked his
          interrogator for showing him the error of his ways.
          But the process looks more like an attempt to intimidate the opposition than to present credible evidence,
          our correspondent says.
          Mr Mousavi accused the authorities of forcing detainees to confess to the crimes.
          “Witnessing such trumped-up trials, the only judgment that the conscience of humanity can make is the
          moral collapse and discredit of its directors.”
          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.
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