World leaders reacted cautiously to the result of Iranian elections

Supporters of reformist candidates Hossein Mousavi argue that the outcome of the elections was the result of fraud. Meanwhile, riots erupted in the capital and at least another city after the government of Ahmadinejad declared winner by a sweeping margin. More: Iranian Resistance calls on Europe and the U.S. to declare the election invalid


June 13 2009 | 09:29 pm - AP


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In Tehran riots broke out after the election results | Reuters

United States and Canada challenged the claims of Iran, said that President Mahmud Ahmadinejad won the election, but much of the rest of the world remained silent on Saturday, despite the accusations of fraud and images of riots in the streets of Tehran.
For the Middle East and the West, there was much at stake in the Iranian elections.

Iran is a participant role in the economy of the region, and was perceived as a threat to national security of Israel.

Represents a concern for United States and its allies fear that Tehran seeks to build a nuclear weapon.

Supporters of reformist candidates Hossein Mousavi argue that the outcome of the elections was the result of a fraud, and riots erupted in the capital and at least another city after the government of Ahmadinejad declared winner by a sweeping margin.

United States refused to accept the statement of Ahmadinejad as winner, and Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton hoped that the results reflect "the true will and desire of the Iranians.

Clinton, noting that United States is closely following developments in the country Farsi, spoken in the Canadian city of Niagara Falls in Ontario, together with the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon.

The Canadian foreign minister said his country was "deeply concerned" by allegations of irregularities in the Iranian elections and intimidation of his principal opponent. Cannon asked the Iranian authorities to conduct a fair and transparent recount of all votes.

In Jerusalem, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the election of Ahmadinejad underlined the need to act forcefully against Tehran's nuclear program.

"The problem posed by Iran to the international community is not personal in nature but derives its policies," Lieberman said in a statement.

"Regardless of this, given the continuity of Iranian policies, and especially after the victory and the continuity of the regime of Ahmadinejad, the international community must continue to act firmly to prevent Iran becoming a nuclear country, stop its support for organizations terrorists and undermining the stability of the Middle East, "he added.

In London, some 200 demonstrators gathered in front of the Iranian embassy to protest the election results. Many of the demonstrators carried posters with the caption, "Where's my vote."

The British foreign minister, David Miliband, said that concerns about the vote, expressed by the candidates, a matter that should meet the Iranian authorities.

"Our priority is that Iran agrees with the concerns of the international community, especially in the case of the proliferation of nuclear weapons," said Miliband.

But most countries took a more cautious, including China, Germany, Italy and Japan, nations which have close ties with Iran.

France reported that examined the situation closely.