Germany's Merkel Won't Congratulate Ahmadinejad

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

BERLIN (Reuters) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not congratulate Iran's Mahmud Ahmadinejad when he is inaugurated as president, due to the disputed election, a German government spokesman has said.

"In view of the circumstances of the controversial reelection, the chancellor will not, as usual, write the normal letter of congratulation," a government spokesman said.

Ahmadinejad is due to be sworn in by parliament for a second term on August 5.

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