Ahmadinejad wins Iran presidential election

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Play VideoIranians begin voting for President Play VideoIranian leaders cast votes for election

Iran's incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has secured a second four-year term with a landslide victory in Friday's election.

Interior minister Sadeq Mahsouli announced Ahmadinejad received nearly 63 percent of the vote, while his main challenger, reformist Mir Hossein Mousavi got less than 34 percent.

Mahsouli, who supervised the election, also said the 85 percent turnout has set a record high. He warned people not to join any unauthorized gatherings as he gave detailed results for the election.

After the announcement, Ahmadinejad gave a televised address to the nation, describing the election as "free and healthy".

He said the Iranian people voted for his policies, and that his triumph represents a great achievement for the country.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian President-elect, said, "A new era has started. Today the people of Iran are hopeful, the degree of hope is at the highest possible level in their hearts. Hoping to pursue aspirations of the Iranian people. Hoping to pursue aspirations of the great international revolution of the Iranian people and hoping to settle the problems and removing the obstacles facing the Iranian nation. It is incumbent upon all of us to act upon these two issues."

After the announcement, Ahmadinejad gave a televised address to the nation, describing the election as "free and healthy". (CCTV.com)