Ahmadinejad lambastes Western snub as violence returns to Iran

Telegraph

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has lambasted world leaders for snubbing his inauguration as president of Iran for a second term even as violence returned to the streets of Tehran.

The United States refused to send Mr Ahmadinejad a customary note to congratulate him for his controversial victory in June's election, although it stopped short of refusing to recognize him as Iran's legitimate president.

Britain, France and Germany followed suit.

Visibly angered by the slight, Mr Ahmadinejad struck a characteristically defiant note despite hundreds of protesters chanting "death to the dictator" almost within earshot.

"We heard that some of the western leaders have decided to recognise but not congratulate the new government," Mr Ahmadinejad said in an acceptance speech before the Iranian parliament. "Well, no-one in Iran is waiting for your messages."

"The Iranian nation neither values your scowls and threats, nor your smiles and greetings."

Fearful of giving renewed impetus to the protests that roiled the country after the election, the Iranian authorities placed the capital city, Tehran, in virtual lock-down.

Mobile phone transmissions were blocked and tube stations near the Iranian parliament closed. The skies above the city were filled with helicopters, while over 1,000 Basij militiamen patrolled the streets on motorcycles.

They were bolstered by over 6,000 riot policemen.

Even so, several hundred Iranians braved the atmosphere of intimidation. They were greeted by salvoes of choking pepper gas.

Many, men and women alike, were arrested and bundled into white vans before being driven away.

For the protesters, there were some words of succour from the international community.

Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, spoke of her admiration for the Iranian resistance to Mr Ahmadinejad.

"We appreciate and we admire the continuing resistance and ongoing efforts by the reformers to make the changes that the Iranian people deserve," Mrs Clinton said in Nairobi at the beginning of a seven-nation Africa tour.

The Foreign Office, however, took a more curious approach by sending Britain's ambassador to Tehran, Simon Gass, to the inauguration ceremony.

Most western envoys stayed away, with only France and Sweden following Britain's lead.

The Foreign Office defended its decision, insisting it did not signal a return to "business as usual".

Britain has been at the forefront of international criticism directed at Iran and has been singled out for the regime's most withering attacks as a result.

Unrepentant despite the international outcry, Mr Ahmadinejad reserved a portion of his ire for his domestic opponents.

In an ominous threat, he gave warning that his government would "resist any violation of the law" by opposition supporters.

"We will not remain silent," he added. "We will not tolerate disrespect, interference and insults."

Like most western diplomats, dozens of reformist MPs stayed away from the swearing-in ceremony. Only 13 moderates appeared, but walked out in concert as Mr Ahmadinejad began talking.

Still, over 200 loyalists remained, cheering noisily every time the president jibed at the West.

Yet, for all the bravado, some observers reckoned that the Iranian president's preoccupation with the West's snub suggested that the international community had delivered a significant blow.

Others will be less sure. Mr Ahmadinejad has consistently responded to the international outcry over the election's brutal aftermath by feigning insouciance.

Even so, the Iranian president has emerged from weeks of protest significantly weakened.

At a traditional blessing ceremony earlier this week, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, declined to kiss Mr Ahmadinejad on the cheeks as he had done after the president's first election victory four years ago.

Mr Ahmadinejad was only allowed to kiss the supreme leader's robe in a sign of the growing distance between the two men.

The president next four years will be much more challenging than his first term.

The first test will come over the next fortnight when Mr Ahmadinejad has to name his cabinet. He is expected to face a stormy time from parliament, which must approve the appointments, as he does so.

Even more worryingly, his relationship with conservatives in the religious establishment is on the decline. Many are said also to have boycotted his inauguration, showing the extent to which -- even in Iran -- Mr Ahmadinejad has become isolated.