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/uk_politics/8109303.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Protest at Iran's 'evil UK' claim | Protest at Iran's 'evil UK' claim |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Foreign Office is to make a protest to the Iranian ambassador in London after his country's supreme leader called the UK government "evil". | |
| Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the comments as he appealed for an end to protests about election results. | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the comments as he appealed for an end to protests about election results. |
| He said Western nations were showing "their enmity against the Islamic Republic system and the most evil of them is the British government". | He said Western nations were showing "their enmity against the Islamic Republic system and the most evil of them is the British government". |
| Ambassador Rasul Movaheddian has been summoned to a Foreign Office meeting. | Ambassador Rasul Movaheddian has been summoned to a Foreign Office meeting. |
| BBC political correspondent James Landale said the most senior officials at the Foreign Office wanted to find out from Mr Movaheddian why Ayatollah Khamenei had attacked the British government in this way. | |
| The suspicion at the Foreign Office is that Britain is being used as "proxy" for the United States for "domestic rhetorical purposes", because Iran does not want to endanger its improving relations with America, added our correspondent. | |
| In his first public remarks after days of demonstrations, Ayatollah Khamenei issued a stern warning that protests against the country's disputed presidential election results must end. | In his first public remarks after days of demonstrations, Ayatollah Khamenei issued a stern warning that protests against the country's disputed presidential election results must end. |
| 'True faces' | 'True faces' |
| In his address to tens of thousands of worshippers at Tehran Friday prayers, which was broadcast live by Iranian state TV and radio, he said the outcome must be decided at the ballot box, not on the street. | In his address to tens of thousands of worshippers at Tehran Friday prayers, which was broadcast live by Iranian state TV and radio, he said the outcome must be decided at the ballot box, not on the street. |
| He voiced support for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying the president's views on foreign affairs and social issues were close to his. | He voiced support for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying the president's views on foreign affairs and social issues were close to his. |
| What we want is to have a good relationship with Iran in the future but that depends on Iran being able to show to the world that it's elections have been conducted fairly Prime Minister Gordon Brown Ayatollah demands end to protests | |
| Demonstrators calling for a new election earlier vowed to stage fresh protests on Saturday. | Demonstrators calling for a new election earlier vowed to stage fresh protests on Saturday. |
| Ayatollah Khamenei also lashed out at Western government in is address. | Ayatollah Khamenei also lashed out at Western government in is address. |
| He told worshippers: "I urge old friends and brothers to be patient and keep control of ourselves. | He told worshippers: "I urge old friends and brothers to be patient and keep control of ourselves. |
| "Please see the hands of the enemy. Please see the hungry wolves in ambush, who are gradually even removing their mask of diplomacy and showing their true faces. Be aware of them. | "Please see the hands of the enemy. Please see the hungry wolves in ambush, who are gradually even removing their mask of diplomacy and showing their true faces. Be aware of them. |
| "Today, senior diplomats of some Western countries, who addressed us diplomatically up until today, have now removed their masks. They are showing their true faces. | "Today, senior diplomats of some Western countries, who addressed us diplomatically up until today, have now removed their masks. They are showing their true faces. |
| "They are showing their enmity against the Islamic Republic system and the most evil of them is the British government." | "They are showing their enmity against the Islamic Republic system and the most evil of them is the British government." |
| 'Good relationship' | |
| Speaking at the European summit in Brussels, Prime Minister UK Gordon Brown, insisted that Britain and the EU wished to have good relations with Iran, but that human rights should be respected. | |
| He said: "The whole world is looking at Iran, at the speech that has been made today but also what is happening in Iran has been happening over the last few weeks. | |
| "It is for the Iranian people to decide their future in elections. | |
| "We are with others, including the whole of the European Union, unanimously today, in condemning the use of violence, in condemning media suppression and in condemning attempts, of course, to make sure that there are people, who are political prisoners who are not free to express their views in Iran. | |
| "What we want is to have a good relationship with Iran in the future but that depends on Iran being able to show to the world that its elections have been conducted fairly and that there is no unfair suppression of rights or of individuals in that country." |