Ten Presidents To Attend Rohani's Inauguration

Tehran, July 29, IRNA – Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said Monday that presidents of ten world countries will attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Hassan Rohani, slated for August 4. Speaking to IRNA, Araqchi said heads of state from over 40 countries will participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Rohani which is to be held one day after his endorsement by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Rohani was elected the 11th president of Iran after winning 18 million (over 51 percent) of votes in the June 14 presidential election. Noting that foreign countries have warmly welcomed their invitations, the spokesman said 10 prime ministers as well as parliament speakers, first-vice presidents and ministers are also to attend the ceremony which is to be held at the Iranian Parliament (Majlis). Araqchi said the final list of the participating states and officials would be announced within days. Meanwhile, according to some confirmed reports, former European Union high representative for common foreign and security policy Javier Solana is also to take part in the ceremony. According to reports, a deputy UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will be also among foreign guests attending the event./end