Berlin, Aug 3 (DPA) German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not send a customary letter of congratulation to re-elected Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his inauguration due this Wednesday, a government spokesman said in Berlin.

Merkel's spokesman Klaus Vater said at a press conference in Berlin Monday that 'in view of his controversial re-election, the Chancellor won't be congratulating' Ahmadinejad.

Vater went on to urge the Iranian government to release all prisoners held since the political demonstrations against the contested elections which followed the June 12 vote.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave his official seal of approval to Ahmadinejad Monday, saying his re-election was 'people's vote for continued confrontation with arrogant Western policies'.