Iran's new President Hassan Rouhani set to take oath

TEHRAN: Iran's new President Hassan Rouhani was set to take the oath before Parliament today, a day after assuming office in the wake of western sanctions against the Islamic republic.

The 64-year-old former nuclear negotiator, who has committed himself to greater international engagement for Iran which is battling sanctions over its nuclear programme, was to be administered the oath of office by the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Milli Majlis.

Reflecting warm bilateral ties, Vice President Hamid Ansari flew into the Iranaian capital by a special plane to represent India at the ceremony.

India's representation was upgraded after earlier plans for External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid to attend were dropped.

Rouhani, who succeeds hardliner Mahmoud Ahmedinijad, had already stroked a controversy when he had reportedly said that Israel is a "wound" on the Muslim world "and needs to be removed". But the remarks were later denied by Iran's state-run TV.