This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8099952.stm
The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Iran braces for more election protests | Iran braces for more election protests |
(10 minutes later) | |
Iran is bracing for more protests over its presidential election results after defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi called for it to be annulled. | Iran is bracing for more protests over its presidential election results after defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi called for it to be annulled. |
His supporters are reported to be planning a rally after two days of unrest sparked by the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. | His supporters are reported to be planning a rally after two days of unrest sparked by the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. |
On Sunday tens of thousands rallied in Tehran to celebrate his victory. | On Sunday tens of thousands rallied in Tehran to celebrate his victory. |
Mr Mousavi has claimed widespread fraud and US Vice-President Joe Biden says there are "real doubts" about the poll. | Mr Mousavi has claimed widespread fraud and US Vice-President Joe Biden says there are "real doubts" about the poll. |
'Death to the dictator' | 'Death to the dictator' |
There were clashes between the police and anti-Ahmadinejad protesters in several parts of the city for a second day on Sunday. | There were clashes between the police and anti-Ahmadinejad protesters in several parts of the city for a second day on Sunday. |
I urge you, Iranian nation, to continue your nationwide protests in a peaceful and legal way Mir Hossein Mousavi Editors' blog: Stop the jamming Internet brings events to life John Simpson's view Challenge to republic | I urge you, Iranian nation, to continue your nationwide protests in a peaceful and legal way Mir Hossein Mousavi Editors' blog: Stop the jamming Internet brings events to life John Simpson's view Challenge to republic |
Police hit protesters with batons and charged them on motorbikes. | Police hit protesters with batons and charged them on motorbikes. |
Streets were littered with broken glass and fires set by protesters, while more riot police patrolled Mousavi strongholds. | Streets were littered with broken glass and fires set by protesters, while more riot police patrolled Mousavi strongholds. |
Mousavi supporters cried "death to the dictator" into the evening. | Mousavi supporters cried "death to the dictator" into the evening. |
Scores of people are reported to have been arrested. | Scores of people are reported to have been arrested. |
There have been reports of tear gas being fired and rooms being searched at Tehran University. | There have been reports of tear gas being fired and rooms being searched at Tehran University. |
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says the rapidly spreading protests are a challenge not just to the election result, not just to President Ahmadinejad, but to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself. | The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says the rapidly spreading protests are a challenge not just to the election result, not just to President Ahmadinejad, but to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself. |
That means it is, he says, a challenge to the whole basis of the Islamic Republic. | That means it is, he says, a challenge to the whole basis of the Islamic Republic. |
Mr Ahmadinejad dismissed the unrest as "passions after a soccer match". | Mr Ahmadinejad dismissed the unrest as "passions after a soccer match". |
International concern | International concern |
Mr Mousavi's website carried a statement saying he had formally called on Iran's Guardian Council, which must certify the counting, to annul the election. | Mr Mousavi's website carried a statement saying he had formally called on Iran's Guardian Council, which must certify the counting, to annul the election. |
He added: "I urge you, Iranian nation, to continue your nationwide protests in a peaceful and legal way." | He added: "I urge you, Iranian nation, to continue your nationwide protests in a peaceful and legal way." |
Advertisement | Advertisement |
Mr Ahmadinejad addressed tens of thousands on Sunday | Mr Ahmadinejad addressed tens of thousands on Sunday |
A supporter of Mr Mousavi, Shahab Tabatabaei, told Associated Press the candidate had met Ayatollah Khamenei to press his call. | A supporter of Mr Mousavi, Shahab Tabatabaei, told Associated Press the candidate had met Ayatollah Khamenei to press his call. |
But the BBC's John Simpson in Tehran says the call is almost certain to fail. | But the BBC's John Simpson in Tehran says the call is almost certain to fail. |
The Reuters news agency said Mr Mousavi's supporters were planning a rally on Monday afternoon but it was unclear whether the authorities would allow it. | The Reuters news agency said Mr Mousavi's supporters were planning a rally on Monday afternoon but it was unclear whether the authorities would allow it. |
One of the country's leading dissidents, Ibrahim Yazdi, told the BBC there had been clear signs of fraud in the poll, with detailed results being withheld. | |
More foreign powers are also expressing concern about the election. | |
In an interview on US television, Mr Biden said: "It sure looks like the way they're suppressing speech, the way they're suppressing crowds, the way in which people are being treated, that there's some real doubt." | In an interview on US television, Mr Biden said: "It sure looks like the way they're suppressing speech, the way they're suppressing crowds, the way in which people are being treated, that there's some real doubt." |
IRANIAN ELECTION Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: 62.6%Mir Hossein Mousavi: 33.8%Mohsen Rezai: 1.7%Mehdi Karroubi 0.9%Turnout: 85% Source: Interior ministry In pictures: Election clashes In quotes: Reaction to result Mousavi letter to ayatollah Iran poll result: Your comments | IRANIAN ELECTION Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: 62.6%Mir Hossein Mousavi: 33.8%Mohsen Rezai: 1.7%Mehdi Karroubi 0.9%Turnout: 85% Source: Interior ministry In pictures: Election clashes In quotes: Reaction to result Mousavi letter to ayatollah Iran poll result: Your comments |
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he had summoned the Iranian ambassador to explain the election. | German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he had summoned the Iranian ambassador to explain the election. |
"There are a lot of reports about electoral fraud," he said. | "There are a lot of reports about electoral fraud," he said. |
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said: "I am sorry that instead of openness there has been a somewhat brutal reaction." | French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said: "I am sorry that instead of openness there has been a somewhat brutal reaction." |
But Mr Ahmadinejad was congratulated by the presidents of Iraq, Afghanistan and Venezuela. | But Mr Ahmadinejad was congratulated by the presidents of Iraq, Afghanistan and Venezuela. |
At his rally on Sunday, Mr Ahmadinejad denied any vote-fixing, saying the result was "very accurate". | At his rally on Sunday, Mr Ahmadinejad denied any vote-fixing, saying the result was "very accurate". |
Crowds thronged the main thoroughfare, Vali Asr street, waving Iranian flags and chanting in jubilation. | Crowds thronged the main thoroughfare, Vali Asr street, waving Iranian flags and chanting in jubilation. |
He told the rally that elections in the Islamic republic had never been healthier and that the people alone had decided the outcome. | He told the rally that elections in the Islamic republic had never been healthier and that the people alone had decided the outcome. |
"Some people want democracy only for their own sake," he said, referring to his critics both inside and outside of Iran. | "Some people want democracy only for their own sake," he said, referring to his critics both inside and outside of Iran. |
"Some want elections, freedom, a sound election. They recognise it only as long as the result favours them." | "Some want elections, freedom, a sound election. They recognise it only as long as the result favours them." |
He said Iranians were united, but with 40 million people taking part in the election it was natural for some to be disappointed. | He said Iranians were united, but with 40 million people taking part in the election it was natural for some to be disappointed. |
Unrest flared after a high turnout in Friday's election - estimated at 85% - led Mr Mousavi's supporters to expect a close result. | Unrest flared after a high turnout in Friday's election - estimated at 85% - led Mr Mousavi's supporters to expect a close result. |
But official results gave Mr Ahmadinejad a landslide victory. His final share of the vote was almost 63%. | But official results gave Mr Ahmadinejad a landslide victory. His final share of the vote was almost 63%. |
The result was quickly endorsed by Ayatollah Khamenei. | The result was quickly endorsed by Ayatollah Khamenei. |