Iran's outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has met his newly elected successor Hassan Rouhani.

According to The Associated Press, a report by the official IRNA news agency said Ahmadinejad congratulated Rouhani for his Friday victory in the election. The meeting was aimed at "coordination" between the two.

Rouhani, who won the election in the first round by taking nearly 51 percent of votes, said the country can promote welfare and global progress by "respecting differences."

Under the law Ahmadinejad was not able to run for a third consecutive term.

Rouhani has vowed for better ties with the world, and aims to reduce the West's sanctions against Iran over the country's disputed nuclear program.

The West suspects Iran intends to use the program to build a weapon. Iran denies the charge.