Iran responds to West during inauguration

TEHRAN, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told lawmakers during his inauguration Wednesday he was not concerned about Western perceptions of his second term.

Ahmadinejad was sworn in for his second term in office Wednesday, following the sanctioning of his administration by Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei earlier this week.

Ahmadinejad claimed a hotly contested victory in the June 12 presidential contest, sparking weeks of political unrest and violent civil demonstrations.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters during his daily briefing Tuesday that U.S. President Barack Obama had recognized Ahmadinejad as "the elected leader of Iran."

Ahmadinejad in his inaugural address to lawmakers in Tehran, however, said Western backing for his administration was not needed, Iranian broadcaster Press TV reports.

"We heard that some of the Western leaders had decided to recognize but not congratulate the new government," he said. "Well, no one in Iran is waiting for your messages."

Despite the confident rhetoric, the inauguration was met with modest opposition in the streets and among lawmakers.

Several Reformist lawmakers in Parliament boycotted the inauguration, with several parliamentarians walking out as the president delivered his address.

Opposition leaders and former Presidents Mohammad Khatami and Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani were not in attendance. Neither were defeated candidates Mir Hossien Mousavi, Mohsen Rezai and Mehdi Karroubi.