Rouhani congratulates Mahathir on Malaysia election win
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani “sincerely” congratulated Mahathir Mohamad on his election as Malaysia’s seventh prime minister.
In a message released on Friday, Rouhani hoped that relations between Tehran and Kuala Lumper would expand during Mahathir’s new tenure, Press TV reported.
“I am confident that in the upcoming premiership of Your Eminence, relations between the two countries will continue to grow as in the past, and cooperation in different bilateral sectors, in line with the unity of the Islamic Ummah, will expand further,” he said.
“I take this opportunity to wish health and success for Your Eminence and prosperity and glory for the Malaysian nation,” Rouhani said in his message.
The 92-year-old politician has been sworn in as Malaysia’s new prime minister after a surprising victory over a coalition that has ruled the country for six decades.
Mahathir defeated Najib Razak who is implicated in a huge corruption scandal.
Mahathir came out of retirement and formed an alliance with the opposition to take part in Malaysia’s general elections. No single party within the coalition won a majority in Wednesday’s vote.
Under Malaysia’s election rules, the king picks the next prime minister. Mahathir was prime minister for 22 years, from 1981 until 2003.
The veteran politician is now the world’s oldest elected leader.