Iran: Ultra-conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became president yesterday, taking power as Iran edged closer to an international crisis over its nuclear ambitions.
In his first address as president, the former mayor and revolutionary guard pledged to fight for justice and prosperity for Iranians and also called for an end to weapons of mass destruction.
After officially appointing Mr Ahmadinejad president, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivered a strong anti-western speech ordering the new government not to give up "the rights of the nation". It was welcomed with chants of "Death to America! Death to Israel!"
Within hours of Mr Ahmadinejad's appointment, Tehran announced it would start work at a uranium conversion plant near the central city of Esfahan, defying yet another appeal from the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran does not resume its nuclear activities until next week. Then surveillance equipment will be installed so UN inspectors can monitor the work.
While Iran maintains its right to nuclear energy under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Washington says Iran's nuclear programme is a veil for building a nuclear arsenal. The EU has warned that if Iran resumes its nuclear activities, it will join the US in demanding Iran be referred to the UN Security Council to face sanctions.
Mr Ahmadinejad also faces international concern over his own hardline fundamentalist beliefs. His supporters and aides hail from the ideological right.
The president's aides say he has been the target of a western smear campaign. Washington has accused him of playing a key role in the 1979 American hostage crisis, despite denials from Mr Ahmadinejad and the former head of the hostage-takers, Abbas Abdi, (now a radical reformer in opposition with the conservatives).
Austria is investigating allegations he played a role in the murder of Kurdish dissidents in Vienna in 1989.
The son of a blacksmith, born in a mud house in a village outside Tehran, Mr Ahmadinejad (48) used his humble roots to connect with poor Iranians.
His win in the presidential election marked the end of power for the embattled reformists. His critics fear his presidency will herald a new era of political and social repression.
Mr Ahmadinejad will be sworn in on Saturday, when he has promised to disclose his cabinet.