Ahmadinejad Sworn In

The New York Times

BEIRUT, Lebanon — With his adversaries shunning the ceremony and with security forces on the streets, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn into office for a second term Wednesday, almost two months after elections that divided the nation and sparked Iran’s deepest crisis since the Islamic Revolution 30 years ago.

All but 13 of the 70 lawmakers forming a reformist bloc in Parliament were absent from the inauguration, and some of those who did attend walked out as Mr. Ahmadinejad began to speak, Parleman News reported on its Web site. A number of foreign diplomats also stayed away, sending second- or third-level deputies in their place. Many seats were empty, and some facilities for guests were moved from the balcony floor down to the first floor.

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