Iran's new president hails "victory of moderation"

        
Moderate cleric Hassan Rohani won Iran's presidential election on Saturday with a resounding defeat of conservative hardliners, calling it a victory of moderation over extremism and pledging a new tone of respect in international affairs.                

Though thousands of jubilant Iranians poured onto the streets in celebration of the victory, the outcome will not soon transform Iran's tense relations with the West, resolve the row over its nuclear program or lessen its support of Syria's president in the civil war there - matters of national security that remain the domain of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.             

But the president runs the economy and wields broad influence in decision-making in other spheres. Rohani's resounding mandate could provide latitude for a diplomatic thaw with the West and more social freedoms at home after eight years of belligerence and repression under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was legally barred from seeking a third consecutive term.          

"This victory is a victory of wisdom, a victory of moderation, a victory of growth and awareness and a victory of commitment over extremism and ill-temper," Rohani told state television, promising to work for all Iranians, including the hardline so-called "Principlists" whom he defeated at the poll.         
"I warmly shake the hands of all moderates, reformists and Principlists," he said.          

The mid-ranking cleric seemed to strike a new tone in the way he talked about Iran's relations with the rest of the world.            

Rohani said there was a new chance "in the international arena" for "those who truly respect democracy and cooperation and free negotiation".          

Celebrating crowds sprang up near Rohani's headquarters in downtown Tehran and across the city and country as his victory was confirmed.             

Reactions:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday urged continued international pressure on Iran to curb its nuclear program after the election of a new president widely seen as a moderate.          

"The international community must not give in to wishful thinking or temptation and loosen the pressure on Iran for it to stop its nuclear program," Netanyahu told his cabinet, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office.                  

For his part, Yuval Steinitz, Israel's minister of intelligence and strategic affairs, said that there won't be any change on Iran's nuclear policy since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei still runs the country. 

In turn, U.S. President Barack Obama's chief of staff said the election of Iranian President Hassan Rohani was a "potentially hopeful sign," and that if he lived up to his obligation "to come clean on this illicit nuclear program, he will find a partner in us."        

Speaking on CBS's "Face the Nation," Denis McDonough McDonough said: "If he (Rohani) is interested in, as he has said in his campaign, mending Iran's relations with the rest of the world, there is an opportunity to do that."


REUTERS/AP