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Iranian protests 'will go ahead' Iranian protests 'will go ahead'
(10 minutes later)
A key rally against Iran's presidential elections will go ahead - in defiance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - opposition sources say.A key rally against Iran's presidential elections will go ahead - in defiance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - opposition sources say.
The wife of defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, and an aide to another rival candidate, Mehdi Karroubi, said the rally would go ahead.The wife of defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, and an aide to another rival candidate, Mehdi Karroubi, said the rally would go ahead.
Mr Mousavi later announced he would be making a statement imminently.Mr Mousavi later announced he would be making a statement imminently.
Police warned they would arrest the leaders of any protest rallies, which they said would be illegal.Police warned they would arrest the leaders of any protest rallies, which they said would be illegal.
The warning follows a demand from Ayatollah Khamenei on Friday that street protests should cease. See map of central TehranThe warning follows a demand from Ayatollah Khamenei on Friday that street protests should cease. See map of central Tehran
On her page of the social networking website Facebook, Mr Mousavi's wife Zahra Rahnavard said the rally would go ahead.On her page of the social networking website Facebook, Mr Mousavi's wife Zahra Rahnavard said the rally would go ahead.
LATEST FROM TEHRAN, 1000 GMT Jon LeyneLATEST FROM TEHRAN, 1000 GMT Jon Leyne
My feeling is that whatever Mir Hossein Mousavi says, the people will gather for this demonstration. There is a remote possibility that he might call it off but all the indications are that it will go ahead. He will turn up, the other defeated candidate Mehdi Karroubi will turn up and former President Khatami. I have heard that there is a substantial security presence on the streets of Tehran. This really is looking like the big showdown.My feeling is that whatever Mir Hossein Mousavi says, the people will gather for this demonstration. There is a remote possibility that he might call it off but all the indications are that it will go ahead. He will turn up, the other defeated candidate Mehdi Karroubi will turn up and former President Khatami. I have heard that there is a substantial security presence on the streets of Tehran. This really is looking like the big showdown.
Mr Mousavi and Mr Karroubi showed what they thought of the offer of a vote recount by not even turning for their meeting with the Guardian Council today, according to state television. They have apparently lost faith in the legal appeals process.Mr Mousavi and Mr Karroubi showed what they thought of the offer of a vote recount by not even turning for their meeting with the Guardian Council today, according to state television. They have apparently lost faith in the legal appeals process.
This is a bitter fight for control of this country. Although nobody is saying as much, it really could threaten the existence of the Islamic republic. It is hard to see how the opposition could possibly win this battle without the Supreme Leader being toppled from power. And if the Supreme Leader were to be toppled, then that in itself would put grave doubts on the whole basis of the system. No wonder both sides are fighting to the last man.This is a bitter fight for control of this country. Although nobody is saying as much, it really could threaten the existence of the Islamic republic. It is hard to see how the opposition could possibly win this battle without the Supreme Leader being toppled from power. And if the Supreme Leader were to be toppled, then that in itself would put grave doubts on the whole basis of the system. No wonder both sides are fighting to the last man.
An aide to Mr Karroubi also told the BBC that a rally would take place and that it would be attended by Mr Mousavi and Mohammad Khatami - the former president, key reformist and ally of Mr Mousavi.An aide to Mr Karroubi also told the BBC that a rally would take place and that it would be attended by Mr Mousavi and Mohammad Khatami - the former president, key reformist and ally of Mr Mousavi.
But the BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says events are moving quickly, with the website of Mr Mousavi's Kalameh newspaper later saying he was due to make an announcement imminently.But the BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says events are moving quickly, with the website of Mr Mousavi's Kalameh newspaper later saying he was due to make an announcement imminently.
But even if Mr Mousavi calls off the protests, our correspondent says, protesters look likely to take to the streets anyway.But even if Mr Mousavi calls off the protests, our correspondent says, protesters look likely to take to the streets anyway.
A heavy security presence is reported and it seems this may be the big moment of confrontation, he says.A heavy security presence is reported and it seems this may be the big moment of confrontation, he says.
Iranian officials have warned protest leaders not to launch fresh demonstrations.Iranian officials have warned protest leaders not to launch fresh demonstrations.
Abbas Mohtaj - head of Iran's State Security Council and also deputy interior minister - issued a direct warning to Mr Mousavi. Abbas Mohtaj - head of Iran's State Security Council and also deputy interior minister - issued a direct warning to Mr Mousavi, saying he would be "responsible for the consequences".
"Should you provoke and call for these illegal rallies you will be responsible for the consequences," he said in a statement.
State TV broadcast a warning by a senior police commander warning that police would not countenance any more street protests, and protest organisers would be arrested.State TV broadcast a warning by a senior police commander warning that police would not countenance any more street protests, and protest organisers would be arrested.
Scores of people have been arrested over the last week and tough restrictions have been imposed on foreign media, including the BBC.
Recount offerRecount offer
Official results of the 12 June presidential poll gave President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a resounding 63% of votes, compared to 34% for his nearest rival, Mir Hossein Mousavi.Official results of the 12 June presidential poll gave President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a resounding 63% of votes, compared to 34% for his nearest rival, Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Tough choice for Mousavi Reporters' log: Iran's upheaval Key excerpts: Khamenei speech Living in Iran: Your viewsTough choice for Mousavi Reporters' log: Iran's upheaval Key excerpts: Khamenei speech Living in Iran: Your views
The result triggered almost daily street protests - a challenge to ruling authorities unprecedented since the Islamic revolution of 1979.The result triggered almost daily street protests - a challenge to ruling authorities unprecedented since the Islamic revolution of 1979.
Mr Mousavi had been expected, along with fellow challengers Mr Karroubi and Mohsen Rezai, to discuss more than 600 objections they had filed complaining about the poll at a meeting of the Guardian Council, which certifies elections, on Saturday.Mr Mousavi had been expected, along with fellow challengers Mr Karroubi and Mohsen Rezai, to discuss more than 600 objections they had filed complaining about the poll at a meeting of the Guardian Council, which certifies elections, on Saturday.
Iranian media reports suggested that neither Mr Mousavi nor Mr Karroubi attended the meeting. But neither Mr Mousavi nor Mr Karroubi attended the meeting - which suggests, our correspondent says, they have abandoned their legal challenge to the election results.
Our correspondent says that, if true, it might suggest they have abandoned their legal challenge to the election results.
State TV quoted the Guardian Council as saying it was "ready" to recount a randomly selected 10% of ballot boxes.State TV quoted the Guardian Council as saying it was "ready" to recount a randomly selected 10% of ballot boxes.
It had previously offered a partial recount of disputed ballots from the election, rather than the full re-run of the election demanded by protesters.It had previously offered a partial recount of disputed ballots from the election, rather than the full re-run of the election demanded by protesters.
The human-rights group Amnesty International says it believed about 10 people had been killed.The human-rights group Amnesty International says it believed about 10 people had been killed.
On Friday, US President Barack Obama warned Iran that the "world is watching" events there. He expressed concern at "some of the tenor and tone of the statements that have been made".On Friday, US President Barack Obama warned Iran that the "world is watching" events there. He expressed concern at "some of the tenor and tone of the statements that have been made".
Ayatollah's addressAyatollah's address
A new rally on Saturday would directly challenge an order from Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's spiritual leader and highest authority.A new rally on Saturday would directly challenge an order from Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's spiritual leader and highest authority.
'The Islamic Republic would not cheat''The Islamic Republic would not cheat'
"Straight challenge is not acceptable after the election," Ayatollah Khamenei told thousands of Iranians who massed to hear him on Friday."Straight challenge is not acceptable after the election," Ayatollah Khamenei told thousands of Iranians who massed to hear him on Friday.
"This is challenging democracy and election itself. I want every side to put an end to this method. If they don't then the responsibility of its consequences, the riots should be shouldered by those who do not put an end to it.""This is challenging democracy and election itself. I want every side to put an end to this method. If they don't then the responsibility of its consequences, the riots should be shouldered by those who do not put an end to it."
The ayatollah insisted the Islamic Republic would not "cheat voters" - and blamed foreign powers, in particular the UK, for fomenting the unrest.The ayatollah insisted the Islamic Republic would not "cheat voters" - and blamed foreign powers, in particular the UK, for fomenting the unrest.
He said "bloodshed" would result if the protests went ahead.He said "bloodshed" would result if the protests went ahead.
The rally was attended by President Ahmadinejad. But former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani - a close associate of Mr Mousavi, and open critic of President Ahmadinejad - did not attend.The rally was attended by President Ahmadinejad. But former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani - a close associate of Mr Mousavi, and open critic of President Ahmadinejad - did not attend.
But correspondents say the ayatollah's warning only appeared to incite protesters, and the nightly chants of "God is great" - which have echoed from rooftops around Tehran in a call to protest - became louder on Friday night.
Although the Supreme Leader controls many levers of power, Mr Rafsanjani heads the Assembly of Experts, which has the power to elect the leader, supervise him, and theoretically even to dismiss him, our correspondent says.Although the Supreme Leader controls many levers of power, Mr Rafsanjani heads the Assembly of Experts, which has the power to elect the leader, supervise him, and theoretically even to dismiss him, our correspondent says.
Behind the scenes, he says, there appears to be both a political battle between two veterans of the Islamic Revolution, but also a titanic dispute about the whole future of Iran, whose outcome no-one can predict.Behind the scenes, he says, there appears to be both a political battle between two veterans of the Islamic Revolution, but also a titanic dispute about the whole future of Iran, whose outcome no-one can predict.
Are you in Iran? What do you think of the current situation? What do you think of the ayatollah's speech?Are you in Iran? What do you think of the current situation? What do you think of the ayatollah's speech?
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