US backtracks on Iran poll remarks
White House spokesman says re-election of incumbent does not mean vote was fair.
Opposition continues
Gibbs’ fresh remarks came hours after Ahmadinejad was inaugurated as Iran’s president in a ceremony in Tehran, the Iranian capital.
Ahmadinejad’s rivals in the June 12 presidential poll questioned the veracity of the vote results and thousands of people protested across the country against the incumbent’s re-election.
The US secretary of state said on Wednesday that the US was supportive of the continued opposition, although Washington is still interested in dialogue with Iran.
“We appreciate and we admire the continuing resistance and ongoing efforts by the reformers to make the changes that the Iranian people deserve,” Hillary Clinton said in Kenya.