Iranian president warns West before talks
TEHRAN, Iran – On the eve of talks, Iran’s moderate president said Tuesday that his administration will defend the Islamic Republic’s nuclear rights and work to end international sanctions that have devastated its economy.
Hassan Rouhani’s remarks were seen as part of his efforts to defuse claims by hard-liners that he has given too many concessions to the West in return for too little.
“Without a doubt, nuclear power is our definite right,” he said during a ceremony in Tehran marking the 25th anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei, the founder of the Islamic Republic.
Under an interim deal in November, Iran agreed to cap its nuclear activities in return for an easing of sanctions by the West. The U.S. and its allies suspect Tehran is seeking atomic weapons, but Iran denies the charge saying its aims are peaceful.
Egyptian leader takes office after election
CAIRO – Egypt’s president-elect, the former army chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, told Egyptians it is now “time to work” to rebuild the economy after he was officially declared the landslide winner of last week’s election, restoring a career military man to the country’s top office.
Thousands celebrated in public squares around the country with cheers, fireworks and pro-military songs after the Election Commission officially announced el-Sissi’s victory with nearly 97 percent of the vote in an election that it said saw a turnout of just over 47 percent.
El-Sissi brings Egypt into a new phase in its tumultuous drama since the 2011 pro-democracy uprising.
Associated Press
