Iran's president-elect vows to ease tensions with world

TEHRAN (Xinhua) - Iran's President-elect Hassan Rouhani reiterated on Saturday that his administration will pursue the policy of easing tensions with the world.

Talking in a program broadcast live from the state IRIB TV, Rouhani said his international and domestic policies will be based on a "balanced approach" and will prevent any

extremism.

His "moderate" policies will aim at "constructive interaction with the world," he said, adding that in foreign policy, he will neither surrender to pressures nor seek

confrontation.

He said he will also bring changes to the social and economic lives of people.

About the line-up of his cabinet, the 64-year-old cleric said he will choose the most qualified people irrespective of their political tendencies.

This also signifies his commitment to moderation which, in due course, will help curb inflation and unemployment, appreciate the country's currency, and elevate Iran's status in

the world, he said.

He said people have chosen "a path of change" and he is committed to his pledges during the campaign.

He emphasized that implementing the constitution of the country which safeguards the rights of all Iranians will serve as a means to establish democracy and moderation.

Western powers have long been at loggerheads with Iran over the country's sensitive nuclear activities, which the former suspects might have been directed at military program,

with the latter insisting on its peaceful nature.

Washington and its allies have revved up sanctions against Iran 's energy and financial sectors to force the Islamic republic to stop its uranium enrichment activities.

Rouhani, who won Iran's presidential election on June 14 with 50.7 percent of the votes, will take office in early August to succeed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has been ruling

Iran for eight years.