TEHRAN, June 25: Iran’s supreme leader said on Saturday the United States had been ‘humiliated deep inside’ by the presidential election result. “You illustrated the secret of your solidity and power against the expansionist policies of the arrogance of the world,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a message to the Iranian people read out on state television.

“Despite its babbling, your enemy is now humiliated deep inside because of your greatness and the transparency of your democracy,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The terms ‘arrogance of the world’ and ‘enemy’ are Iranian terms for the United States, also known here as the ‘Great Satan’.

Ayatollah Khamenei told Iranians the election was ‘practical proof of your commitment to bravely guard the Islamic republic’s interests’.

He congratulated president-elect Ahmadinejad, urging his supporters to show ‘capacity, patience and wisdom’.—AFP