国际英语新闻:Rouhani sworn in as Iran's new president

TEHRAN, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Hassan Rouhani was sworn in as Iran' s new president on Sunday amid hopes that he will bring changes to the country's social and economic sectors as well as its foreign relations.

Attended by Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, Rouhani cited his oath and vowed to use all means of power to serve the country, Iranian nation and the Islamic establishment.

"I swear to protect the constitution and justice.... and to devote myself to protect freedom and people's dignity and rights on the basis of constitution," he said during the inauguration.

He also vowed to defend the country's borders and politico- cultural independence.

Rouhani was endorsed by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday. He was elected as Iran's new president in a landslide victory on June 14.

For the first time in the history of the Islamic republic since 1979, a number of the world leaders attended the inauguration ceremony of the elected president on Sunday.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Rouhani addressed the participants in Iran's parliament saying that sanctions and war threats cannot serve as an instrument to pressure the Iranian nation.

Rouhani, who was Iran's former nuclear negotiator from 2003 to 2005, said that dialog is the proper way to settle the issues between the West and Iran.

The world powers and the Islamic republic have conducted several rounds of talks over the country's sensitive nuclear program, but no agreement has been reached. Iran's financial and energy sector are under Western sanction pressures.

Rouhani said although Western sanctions have inflicted pressure on the economy of Iranian people, the nation's participation in July-14 presidential elections indicated that the Iranians are " alert to protect their national interests" at any time.

Dialog on basis of "equal footing" and "mutual respect" as well as "constructive interaction" would be the proper means to settle the issues, he said, urging the Western states to "drop the language of sanctions" in dealing with Iran.

On Sunday, the United States said if the new administration in Iran is willing to "engage substantively and seriously" to alleviate the international concerns over its nuclear activities, it is prepared to work with Rouhani to address the concerns.

Further, Rouhani said in the inauguration ceremony that his country is pursuing peace and stability in the region and will not seek to interfere in the countries' internal affairs.

Iran is against any kind of foreign intervention and agression, including military intervention, in the countries and will use its power to contain warmongers.

In a meeting with the Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi, who travelled to Tehran for Rouhani's swearing-in, the Iranian president said that Iran has considered the Syrian nation as its " friend and brother" and will regard the same.

For his part, al-Halqi expressed gratitude for Iran's support and assistance to the Arab state.