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Ahmadinejad defiant on 'free' Iran poll | Ahmadinejad defiant on 'free' Iran poll |
(40 minutes later) | |
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has defended his "completely free" re-election as Iran's president, amid violent clashes on the streets over claims of election fraud. | Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has defended his "completely free" re-election as Iran's president, amid violent clashes on the streets over claims of election fraud. |
Mr Ahmadinejad condemned the outside world for "psychological warfare" against Iranians during the election. | Mr Ahmadinejad condemned the outside world for "psychological warfare" against Iranians during the election. |
Thousands have protested against the result, burning barricades on the streets of Tehran and clashing with police, who responded with tear gas. | Thousands have protested against the result, burning barricades on the streets of Tehran and clashing with police, who responded with tear gas. |
Reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi urged his supporters to avoid violence. | Reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi urged his supporters to avoid violence. |
'Down with the dictator' | 'Down with the dictator' |
Speaking on national television, Mr Ahmadinejad praised the Iranian people for choosing to "look toward the future" rather than returning to the past. | Speaking on national television, Mr Ahmadinejad praised the Iranian people for choosing to "look toward the future" rather than returning to the past. |
President Ahmadinejad addresses the nation | President Ahmadinejad addresses the nation |
"This is a great victory at a time and condition when the whole material, political and propaganda facilities outside of Iran and sometimes... inside Iran, were total mobilised against our people," he said. | "This is a great victory at a time and condition when the whole material, political and propaganda facilities outside of Iran and sometimes... inside Iran, were total mobilised against our people," he said. |
He blamed "foreign media" for instigating a "full-fledged fight against our people". | He blamed "foreign media" for instigating a "full-fledged fight against our people". |
"Nearly 40 million people took part in a totally free election," he said. | "Nearly 40 million people took part in a totally free election," he said. |
Mr Ahmadinejad is set to hold a press conference on Sunday, followed by a huge rally. | |
BBC Iranian affairs analyst Sadeq Saba says the margin of the win was so wide that it made a lot of people suspicious. | BBC Iranian affairs analyst Sadeq Saba says the margin of the win was so wide that it made a lot of people suspicious. |
He says given the high turnout, it was expected that Mr Mousavi would have won at least half of the votes. | He says given the high turnout, it was expected that Mr Mousavi would have won at least half of the votes. |
John Simpson Reporting from Tehran | John Simpson Reporting from Tehran |
A crowd of about 3,000 attacked the police, some of whom were on motorbikes, which they set on fire. | A crowd of about 3,000 attacked the police, some of whom were on motorbikes, which they set on fire. |
The sky was thick with black smoke. Police attacked the crowd with sticks and maybe teargas. | The sky was thick with black smoke. Police attacked the crowd with sticks and maybe teargas. |
I didn't expect to see people turning on the secret police. We were filming when we were surrounded by angry secret policemen. The crowd turned on them and chased them off. | I didn't expect to see people turning on the secret police. We were filming when we were surrounded by angry secret policemen. The crowd turned on them and chased them off. |
I suspect we are not looking at a revolution but there is serious anger. | I suspect we are not looking at a revolution but there is serious anger. |
It all depends on how the government responds - if they use violence, that could inflame the situation. In quotes: Reaction to result Tension looms after Iran result | It all depends on how the government responds - if they use violence, that could inflame the situation. In quotes: Reaction to result Tension looms after Iran result |
Millions of people, especially the young, voted for change through the ballot box and by peaceful means and now there is shock and disappointment, our analyst says. | Millions of people, especially the young, voted for change through the ballot box and by peaceful means and now there is shock and disappointment, our analyst says. |
The official result gave Mr Ahmadinejad a resounding 63% of the vote against 34% for Mr Mousavi and brought the worst violence seen in Tehran for a decade, correspondents said. | The official result gave Mr Ahmadinejad a resounding 63% of the vote against 34% for Mr Mousavi and brought the worst violence seen in Tehran for a decade, correspondents said. |
The BBC's John Simpson saw secret policemen being attacked and chased away by protesters, which he says is extremely rare. | The BBC's John Simpson saw secret policemen being attacked and chased away by protesters, which he says is extremely rare. |
Some of the protesters in Tehran wore Mr Mousavi's campaign colour of green and chanted "Down with the dictator", news agencies report. | Some of the protesters in Tehran wore Mr Mousavi's campaign colour of green and chanted "Down with the dictator", news agencies report. |
Four police motorbikes were set on fire near the interior ministry, where votes had been counted, our correspondent says. | Four police motorbikes were set on fire near the interior ministry, where votes had been counted, our correspondent says. |
One BBC News website reader, Xenia, went to Vanak Square in Tehran to express anger and said police fired plastic bullets. | One BBC News website reader, Xenia, went to Vanak Square in Tehran to express anger and said police fired plastic bullets. |
"They fired tear gas to scare us away, but it would only be temporarily. We would hide in some corner and then re-emerge angrier than ever." | "They fired tear gas to scare us away, but it would only be temporarily. We would hide in some corner and then re-emerge angrier than ever." |
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says clashes continued late into Saturday evening and there are reports that a number of reformist leaders have been arrested. | |
Ayatollah's call | Ayatollah's call |
Mr Mousavi urged calm in his website statement. | Mr Mousavi urged calm in his website statement. |
"The violations in the election are very serious and you are right to be deeply hurt," he said. | "The violations in the election are very serious and you are right to be deeply hurt," he said. |
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 Iran poll result: Your comments Send us 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 Iran poll result: Your comments Send us your comments |
"But I firmly call on you not to subject any individual or groups to hurt." | "But I firmly call on you not to subject any individual or groups to hurt." |
Mr Mousavi earlier said the election was a "charade". | Mr Mousavi earlier said the election was a "charade". |
"I personally strongly protest the many obvious violations and I'm warning I will not surrender to this dangerous charade. | "I personally strongly protest the many obvious violations and I'm warning I will not surrender to this dangerous charade. |
"The result of such performance by some officials will jeopardise the pillars of the Islamic Republic and will establish tyranny." | "The result of such performance by some officials will jeopardise the pillars of the Islamic Republic and will establish tyranny." |
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who wields ultimate power, urged all Iranians "including yesterday's competitors" to support the re-elected president. | Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who wields ultimate power, urged all Iranians "including yesterday's competitors" to support the re-elected president. |
He described the count as a "real celebration", praised the high turnout of 85% and called for calm. "Enemies may want to spoil the sweetness of this event... with some kind of ill-intentioned provocations," the ayatollah said. | He described the count as a "real celebration", praised the high turnout of 85% and called for calm. "Enemies may want to spoil the sweetness of this event... with some kind of ill-intentioned provocations," the ayatollah said. |
Mr Mousavi had been hoping to prevent Mr Ahmadinejad winning more than 50% of the vote, in order to force a run-off election. | Mr Mousavi had been hoping to prevent Mr Ahmadinejad winning more than 50% of the vote, in order to force a run-off election. |
Our correspondent, Jon Leyne, says the result has been greeted with surprise and with deep scepticism by many Iranians. | |
The figures, if they are to be believed, show Mr Ahmadinejad winning strongly even in the heartland of Mr Mousavi. | The figures, if they are to be believed, show Mr Ahmadinejad winning strongly even in the heartland of Mr Mousavi. |
Our correspondent says Mr Ahmadinejad will feel emboldened in his global vision - one that foresees the death of capitalism - while at home many Iranians will fear a clampdown on society and cultural life. | Our correspondent says Mr Ahmadinejad will feel emboldened in his global vision - one that foresees the death of capitalism - while at home many Iranians will fear a clampdown on society and cultural life. |
Surge of interest | Surge of interest |
There had been a surge of interest in Iran's presidential election, with unprecedented live television debates between the candidates and rallies attended by thousands. | There had been a surge of interest in Iran's presidential election, with unprecedented live television debates between the candidates and rallies attended by thousands. |
There were long queues at polling stations on Friday, with turnout reaching 85%. | There were long queues at polling stations on Friday, with turnout reaching 85%. |
Four candidates contested the election, with Mohsen Razai and Mehdi Karroubi only registering about 1% of the vote each. | Four candidates contested the election, with Mohsen Razai and Mehdi Karroubi only registering about 1% of the vote each. |
Iran is ruled under a system known as Velayat-e Faqih, or "Rule by the Supreme Jurist", who is currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. | Iran is ruled under a system known as Velayat-e Faqih, or "Rule by the Supreme Jurist", who is currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. |
It was adopted by an overwhelming majority in 1979 following the Islamic revolution which overthrew the autocratic Western-backed Shah. | It was adopted by an overwhelming majority in 1979 following the Islamic revolution which overthrew the autocratic Western-backed Shah. |
But the constitution also stipulates that the people are the source of power and the country holds phased presidential and parliamentary elections every four years. | But the constitution also stipulates that the people are the source of power and the country holds phased presidential and parliamentary elections every four years. |
All candidates are vetted by the powerful conservative-controlled Guardian Council, which also has the power to veto legislation it deems inconsistent with revolutionary principles. | All candidates are vetted by the powerful conservative-controlled Guardian Council, which also has the power to veto legislation it deems inconsistent with revolutionary principles. |
What do think of the election results so far? Have you been affected by the protests? You can send us your views using the form below: | What do think of the election results so far? Have you been affected by the protests? You can send us your views using the form below: |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |