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Supreme Leader thanks Iranians for strong presence in elections

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, June 25, IRNA
Supreme Leader-Elections
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Saturday thanked the Iranian people for their strong presence in the 9th presidential polls and its runoff election, held nationwide on June 17 and June 24 respectively.

In a message issued after official announcement of the election results, Ayatollah Khamenei congratulated the Iranian nation and the president-elect on his landslide victory.

Ahmadinejad swept to the presidential post with a stunning 17,046,441 votes but his rival and Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani gained 9,841,346 out of a total of 27,536,069 votes cast in the runoff election.

"You, through a magnificent display of national solidarity and public participation, have proved your firm resolve to defend national independence and bravely safeguard the interests of the country and of the Islamic Republic establishment," Ayatollah Khamenei said in his message.

The Supreme Leader said high voters' turnout proved the strength and power of the Iranian nation to the ill-wishers and hostile enemies.

Ayatollah Khamenei said high public presence on the scene also presented a remarkable image of national solidarity and public participation.

Elections mark the era of enthusiasm and anxiety, said Ayatollah Khamenei, adding that with end of the election, the excitement and fervor should be replaced by dignity, friendship and cooperation.

The message said that after weeks of rhetoric and listening, it is now the time for work and action.

Until he officially takes office, the president-elect will have the golden opportunity to work immediately on the projects which will help him fulfill his grave responsibilities, said the Supreme Leader.

The Supreme Leader said all officials and elite in different sectors should consider assistance to the president-elect as their human and Islamic duty.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the "influential and key" role of presidential hopefuls in creation of the big national epic is "undeniable" and all should appreciate them for this.

"I congratulate the elected president Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for taking on this critical responsibility ... I sincerely thank all candidates, especially Hojatoleslam Hashemi Rafsanjani, who is among the assets of the revolution and a prominent figure, and I hope my dear brother would always like to be present on important scenes." Concluding his message, Ayatollah Khamenei thanked all people involved in such a "big test", especially the religious dignitaries, academics, people from various social, political and cultural walks of life, the mass media, especially the Islamic Republic of Iran's Broadcasting (IRIB), reporters, Guardian Council, Interior Ministry, governors general, governors, the executive and supervisory officials, police, the security, intelligence and judicial officials.

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