SECOND REIGN OF AHMADINEJAD IN IRAN

Brushing the allegations of rigging the election and the concerns expressed by the western nations aside, Mr. Ahmadinejad assumed the office of the President of Iran on 5th August 2009, with the blessings of his mentor Khomeni. Ahmadinejad said later that he would resist the “oppressive powers”. He also claimed that his election is a sign of change in Iranian politics.
Even as Ahmadinejad assumed office, protestors gathered in front of the parliament chanting “Death to the dictator”.
The opposition leaders did not attend the function. Rafsanjani, former President and supporter of Mousavi, was also conspicuous by his absence. However the envoys of Britain, Sweden and France attended the official function.
Outside the parliament riot police and Islamic militiamen had a tough time controlling the protestors. They used pepper spray to disperse the agitated demonstrators who continued to protest despite warnings of stern action by the government. Police later arrested Mir Hamid Hassanzadeh, the former director of Mousavi’s website and Reza Noor Bakhash, the chief editor of Farhikhetegan, a paper that supported Mousavi.
Mousavi said “I have noticed the birth of a strong national feeling during the course of the election”. He expressed confidence when he said that the protests have united people from different groups in the society.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who was on an African tour said, “We appreciate and we admire the continuing resistance and the ongoing efforts by the reformers to make the changes that the Iranian people deserve”
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran had on 3rd August, 2009, endorsed Ahmadinejad as the new president of the country. Khamenei who stood solidly behind Ahmadinejad all along the present crisis described him as ‘courageous, astute and hardworking”. Khamenei also cautioned Ahmadinejad to listen to his critics and be prepared to face the challenges ahead.
However, Khamenei did not allow the new president to kiss his hand as he did in 2005. Ahmadinejad had to satisfy himself with a kiss on the leader’s shoulder.
Although the government has released 140 of the people rounded up during the protests after the re-election of Ahmadinejad many still languish in prison. Former president Mohammad Khatami said that the ones who were arrested should be compensated adequately. Khatami a pro reform leader and supporter of Mousavi said, “Blood has been spilled and several families are damaged psychologically. Illegal and un-Islamic acts have been committed against the people”.
Let us wait and watch the course events take in Iran.