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/8099115.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
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.
Mr Ahmadinejad is due to hold a news conference on Sunday, followed by a huge victory rally.
'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 nationPresident 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 TehranJohn 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 resultIt 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.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 callAyatollah'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 commentsIRANIAN 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.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 interestSurge 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 & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions