Khamenei Endorses Ahmadinejad

Iran's election turmoil has soured Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's relationship with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad slightly. Although Iran's supreme leader formally endorsed Ahmadinejad Monday during a ceremony, the public display of affection between the two was notably muted, the Associated Press reports. During Ahmadinejad's first presidential term four years ago, he kissed Khamenei's hand and cheeks during the endorsement ceremony. This time, Ahmadinejad went for the hand-kiss, but Khamenei stepped back, and after a few words, Ahmadinejad smiled and kissed the Ayatollah's robe on his shoulder. Evidently, the supreme leader is paying attention to public perception. The event cleared the way for Ahmadinejad's inauguration, but underscored Iran's deep political divides, as two former presidents as well as defeated pro-reform candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi boycotted the ceremony.