We have expressed our clear concerns about the recent elections where over 1,000 candidates were disqualified from running and there were many allegations of election fraud and interference. We continue to stand with those who call for greater freedom for the Iranian people.

I hope that under Mr Ahmadinejad's presidency, Iran will take early steps to address international concerns about its nuclear programme and policies towards terrorism, human rights and the Middle East peace process.

Regrettably, there were serious deficiencies in the election process by international standards... For the Iranian people to have a fully free choice about their country's future, they should be able to vote for candidates who hold the full range of political views, not just candidates selected for them.

I am convinced that your election, which came as a result of the Iranian people's will, will guarantee continuity in the development of partnership between our countries.

Neither the primaries nor the recent round of elections were free, and were contests between extremists. The candidates were pre-determined, as were the results...

The conclusion is that the dangerous combination of extremists, non-conventional weapons and isolation from the West will continue, and will generate a great deal of problems for the free world.

The exclusion of numerous candidates before the election, as well as the progress of the election itself, point to considerable shortcomings.

Iran has shown steps in the right direction regarding the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, human rights, the fight against terrorism and Middle East peace process. However, Iran must provide objective guarantees its nuclear programme will only be used for peaceful means.

We hope that the new leadership will be able to build more supportive bridges with its brethren in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), especially since there are issues between GCC members and Iran.

We welcome the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the new president of Iran.

It is our hope that relations between Pakistan and Iran would continue to strengthen to the mutual advantage of the two countries.

Japan hopes that Iran's new President Ahmadinejad will continue to implement domestic reforms and respond to the nuclear problem by valuing relations with the international community.

Japan hopes that our traditional friendly relations will progress and expand further.

We hope relations between Afghanistan and Iran will not change with this election result.

The people of Iran are to be congratulated for the tremendous support and enthusiasm they have shown for the democratic electoral process.

As the task of governance beckons, we are confident that we can continue to rely on Iran as a force for peace, stability and moderation in its own region and beyond.