New parliament opens in Iran

TEHRAN, May 28 (MNA) – The opening ceremony of the new Iranian parliament was held on Sunday with a message from Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who called for close cooperation between the Majlis and the other branches of government. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, Assembly of Experts Chairman Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani, Expediency Council Chairman Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Guardian Council Chairman Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, former Majlis speaker Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri, former Judiciary chief Ayatollah Hashemi Shahroudi, members of the cabinet, and a number of high-ranking military officials and foreign ambassadors to Iran attended the ceremony. The Leader’s message to the new parliament was read out at the ceremony, in which the newly-elected MPs were also sworn in. President Ahmadinejad also delivered a speech to the parliament, in which he said that empathy is the key to the country’s success. “We all should work together and help each other. The administration is in the front line of governing the country. Everybody should help and take responsibility… for making decisions and drawing up plans.” He also said, “Today, devils have been mobilized from all directions to pressure the Iranian nation. Resisting the pressure, empathy, and cooperation are the main priorities.” Later in the day, parliamentarians visited the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini to renew their commitment to the ideals of the Founder of the Islamic Republic. The first round of the parliamentary election was held on March 2, in which the winners of 225 parliamentary seats were determined. The remaining 65 seats were determined in a run-off election which was held on May 4. Leader urges national unity In his message to the ceremony, the Leader said that close and sincere cooperation between the Majlis and the other two branches of government will promote national unity, an objective actively pursued by those who are concerned about the interests of the country and believe that unity will enhance the image of the Iranian nation in the eyes of the world. Ayatollah Khamenei also said that the parliament is one of the pillars of the country and the Islamic system, adding, “Everything that has a prominent place in the Islamic system should be reflected in the Majlis. Faith, bravery, pioneering, adherence to the principles of the system, resistance against the enemies, ingenuity, staying up-to-date, unity, national cohesion, selfless devotion to work, and the utilization of individual and collective potential are features which characterize a successful Majlis.”