Speaking at the confirmation ceremony of Irans new hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Khamenei said, “Iranian leaders have no right to give up the nation’s economic and political rights. These rights must be defended.
The Iranian people will not be blackmailed by any world power, he added.
Khameneis comments were directed against the European trio of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, which have been conducting nuclear talks with Iran, and the United States.
According to the Islamic Republics laws, the president has to be confirmed in his position by the Supreme Leader after being elected. On Saturday, Ahmadinejad officially takes the oath of office in an inauguration ceremony in parliament. He then has 15 days to name a cabinet.
At Wednesday’s ceremony, Khamenei kissed the 49-year-old Ahmadinejad on the cheek before addressing the gathering of senior clerics, government officials, military leaders, and foreign diplomats in Tehran.
Khamenei said the United States had shown its spirit of arrogance by denouncing the presidential elections in Iran. Such views about other nations are deeply rooted in the evil, arrogant spirit of the Great Satan.
“Let the enemies say what they want. The (Iranian) nation has found its way and will keep treading along this track firmly, Khamenei said.
Referring to Ahmadinejads presidency, the Supreme Leader said, The Iranian people should be thankful for this blessing and continue to be present in different arenas.
The Iranian people do not accept their [Western”> democracy, where the money of Zionist capitalists has the first word, he said.
