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Iran's President-Elect Says He Wants Islamic Society


Iranian president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he will look toward all groups in Iranian society when he forms his new cabinet.

The ultra-conservative mayor of Tehran received 62 percent of the vote to win Friday's presidential runoff against former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Mr. Ahmadinejad appealed for national unity Saturday, saying his goal is creating a modern and advanced Islamic society.

He directed much of his campaign toward the poor, condemning corruption and promising to redistribute oil wealth. He also vowed to defend Iran's nuclear program against threats from the West.

Some Iranian reformists fear the the new president will turn back hard-won freedoms.

International reaction was mixed. The United States said voters had no choice in the election because the unlelected clergy on the Guardian Council chose the candidates.

British, French, and German officials said they hope the new government will continue nuclear talks.

Russia congratulated the new president and promised continued nuclear cooperation.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters.

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