Ahmadinejad inauguration formally begins his second term

After Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gained an official endorsement from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday, Wednesday’s inauguration ceremony became nothing more than a formality. His second term as president of Iran has officially begun, ending a chaotic period of time since the Iran Election including protests, bloodshed and disputes.

Though Ahmadinejad continues as president, there are still notable rifts within Iranian leadership, reports the New York Times. There were empty seats at the inauguration, and opposition leaders like Mir Hossein Mousavi, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and Mohammad Khatami were among the absent, according to the Times.

Analysis, local reaction, international reaction, and other thoughts about the event made it into the Twittersphere:

T4Tx Problem 4 Khamenei and Ahmadinejad is that everywhere they look they see enemies, possibly even when they look at each other. #iranelection 05 Aug 2009 from Twubs

eyeranprotestr0 #iranelection #neda CONGRATULATIONS PRESIDENT AHMADINEJAD! You defend Iran and it’s people from criminals like Mousavi. DEATH TO MOUSAVI!!! 05 Aug 2009 from TweetDeck

shadien Robert Gibbs on Wednesday said he had misspoken in calling Ahmadinejad Iran’s elected leader #iranelection #gr88 much ado abt nothing 05 Aug 2009 from web

GreenQuran “France ’s position of Ahmadinejad’s election, in accordance with international law, is to recognize states, not governments.” #iranelection 05 Aug 2009 from web

LeahLibresco Ahmadinejad sworn in today in Iran. This is what a coup looks like. #iranelection #neda 05 Aug 2009 from web

SaloumehZ RT @oxfordgirl Khameini reported to have warned Ahmadinejad to behave himself or he will not remain president #Iranelection 05 Aug 2009 from web

ChickyChickie Ahmadinejad sworn in as enemy of all free democratic Iranians, Democracy will win. #Iranelection 05 Aug 2009 from web

Labourcat Interesting that so many chose to vote with feet and stay away from inauguration of Ahmadinejad -brave and keeps issue in news #iranelection 05 Aug 2009 from web

IranWitness Ahmadinejad “It is not important who voted for whom” Correction IT Is important because Iranian people did not vote for you. #Iranelection 06 Aug 2009 from web

hubbardgenesis To Ahmadinejad: You could demonstrate true leadership by being a leader of, for, and by the Iranian people. #iranelection #neda #freeiran 06 Aug 2009 from web