Iranian president defends domestic policies

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Sunday defended his domestic and economic policies before the parliament (Majlis) while submitting his government's budget in 2007.

"The government has completely controlled the prices of some basic food stuffs, such as gas, water, bread and electricity," Ahmadinejad argued, rejecting the criticism against his domestic and economic policies.

Citing the newly-renovated 9,000 km roads and 200,000 houses in rural areas, the president illustrated the government's achievements in the past year.

Aside from the explanation of his domestic policy, Ahmadinejad also submitted his government's annual budget bill for the next Iranian calendar year (starting March 21, 2007) to the Majlis.

The proposed budget bill for the coming year increased 19.6 percent over the bill of the current year, the official IRNA news agency reported.

The legislators will have 10 days to examine the proposed budget and inform the budget commission of the Majlis of their expert opinion. Necessary amendments will be made in accordance with the views of the majority of the lawmakers.

Ahmadinejad came into power in 2005 and promised to deliver oil wealth to the poor at that time. However, the prices of livelihood commodities, such as beef, lamb and eggs, have continued to increase, drawing wide discontentments from some Iranian moderate conservatives and reformists.

The lawmakers recently also summoned Ahmadinejad's Housing Minister Mohammad Saeedikia to parliament for questioning over the rising prices of housing, which he blamed on increasing demand.

Ahmadinejad also blamed the prices hike on the UN sanction resolution against its nuclear program.

However, he remained high determination on developing the nuclear program despite the UN sanction. "Even ten more similar resolutions can not affect our economy and our policy," he asserted.