Iran's Ahmadinejad sworn in

PHOTO

IRAN, Tehran : Iran's judiciary chief Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi (R) and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani (top) listen to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as he is sworn in for a second four-year term during a ceremony in parliament in Tehran on August 5, 2009. Ahmadinejad was sworn in as Iranian president as riot police broke up opposition protests over an election that triggered the worst turmoil in the Islamic republic's history. Framed pictures are portraits of Iranian "martyrs". [AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI]

Anne Barker, Middle East Correspondent

Last Updated: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 19:20:00 +1000

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been sworn in for a second term in office, amid protests by opposition supporters.

Hundreds of opposition supporters have massed around Iran's Parliament in Tehran, protesting the inauguration taking place inside.

One woman has been arrested and police have used teargas to control the crowd.

Mr Ahmadinejad has described his election as the beginning of major change in Iran, but main opposition candidates still insist his election was fraudulent.

As he took the oath at a swearing in ceremony, Mr Ahmadinejad pledged to protect the constitution and frontiers of Iran.

Key senior figures were conspicuously absent - including the former President Ali Akbar Rafsanjani.

Mr Ahmadinejad now has two weeks to name a new government.