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Hassan Rouhani, 64, has been elected new president of Iran.He was the only cleric contesting the Iranian presidential election.He says he wants to steer the country towards moderation and has the backing of the reformists led by former President Mohammad Khatami.He had the endorsement of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who represents other moderate Islamists and is barred from running for office.He pulled large crowds wherever he was on the campaign trail - speaking of reform, promising to free political prisoners, to guarantee civil rights and promising to return "dignity to the nation".In televised debates, he raised taboo subjects, such as the nuclear stand-off with world powers, damaging international sanctions, the dire state of the economy and Iran's extreme isolation in the international community.Continue reading the main story Hassan Rouhani A religious moderate The only cleric contesting the Iranian presidential election Key figure in Iranian politics who has held some of the country's top jobs, including chief nuclear negotiator Has the backing of two former presidents Profile: Hassan RowhaniHe has also vowed to restore diplomatic ties with Iran's old enemy, the United States, which cut relations with Iran in the aftermath of the 1979 seizure of the US embassy in Tehran by Islamist students.Mr Rouhani urged Iranians to vote, saying that the hardliners "don't want you to vote, they want to win the ballot unchallenged"
