TEHRAN — Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officially endorsed Hassan Rouhani as president in a ceremony here Saturday on the eve of his swearing-in by parliament, acknowledging the challenges that he faces and asking the country to support him.
Rouhani, the moderate cleric who won an unexpected victory in the June 14 election and will begin his official duties Sunday after being inaugurated as the Islamic Republic’s 11th president, is making clear that he is determined to restore his country’s image at home and abroad.
“We will take new steps to increase the dignity of our people in its international relations, through securing our national interests and eliminating the unjust sanctions,” Rouhani said in an address during Saturday’s ceremony, referring to measures imposed by the international community over Iran’s nuclear activities.
He added that his administration’s “approach will be to save the economy and to have constructive interaction with the rest of the world.”
Dozens of foreign dignitaries, diplomats and senior Iranian officials attended the ceremony at Khamenei’s central Tehran compound to mark the end of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s controversial eight-year tenure. The supreme leader also delivered remarks that were carried live on domestic and international news networks.
Khamenei conceded that sanctions have created difficulties for Iranians but indicated that he did not fully agree with Rouhani’s two-part approach to addressing them.
“It is correct that such pressures have created problems for people, but at the same time they have brought valuable experiences to our statesmen and people,” Khamenei said. “The great lesson we have learned is that we have to rely solely on our powerful domestic capabilities and not put our hope in foreigners.”
He also noted that Rouhani would need the support of the nation and the political establishment if he is to deliver on his campaign promises.
“I want everyone to help the government and president to realize people’s expectations,” Khamenei said.
