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Iranian protesters call off rally Iranian protesters call off rally
(20 minutes later)
Iran's defeated moderate candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi has cancelled a big rally amid unrest over President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election.Iran's defeated moderate candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi has cancelled a big rally amid unrest over President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election.
The interior ministry had declared planned protests illegal. The interior ministry had declared planned protests to be illegal.
The BBC understands that Mr Mousavi called off the rally after being warned that militias policing it would be equipped with live rounds.The BBC understands that Mr Mousavi called off the rally after being warned that militias policing it would be equipped with live rounds.
Mr Mousavi wants election results annulled, alleging widespread fraud. Mr Ahmadinejad says the vote was fair.Mr Mousavi wants election results annulled, alleging widespread fraud. Mr Ahmadinejad says the vote was fair.
Tens of thousands rallied in Tehran on Sunday to celebrate his victory. Mr Ahmadinejad was due to attend a regional summit in Moscow on Monday, but reports said he would not be going. Tens of thousands rallied in Tehran on Sunday to celebrate his victory. Mr Ahmadinejad was due to attend a regional summit in Moscow on Monday, but reports said he would not now be going.
Following two days of unrest over the weekend, the interior ministry said: "Some seditious elements had planned to hold a rally [on Monday]."Following two days of unrest over the weekend, the interior ministry said: "Some seditious elements had planned to hold a rally [on Monday]."
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 republicI 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
It added: "Any disrupter of public security would be dealt with according to the law."It added: "Any disrupter of public security would be dealt with according to the law."
Mr Mousavi's campaign later announced that the event had been called off.Mr Mousavi's campaign later announced that the event had been called off.
The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Tehran, says he understands plain-clothed militias had been authorised to use live ammunition for the first time.The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Tehran, says he understands plain-clothed militias had been authorised to use live ammunition for the first time.
Meanwhile a smaller demonstration took place on Monday at Tehran University - the main centre of tension - attended by Mr Mousavi's wife Zahra Rahnavard. Despite the tension, correspondents said life appeared to be returning to normal in central Tehran on Monday. Shops were open and there was little evidence of the weekend's unrest.
Reports from that protest indicate that paramilitaries are trying to break it up, and that students are taking cover in a mosque. However, there was a small demonstration attended by Mr Mousavi's wife Zahra Rahnavard at Tehran University.
Reports said paramilitaries were trying to break it up, and that students had taken cover in a mosque.
The campus has been a focus of unrest in recent days. Overnight police and militias raided dormitories, reportedly arresting dozens of students.
International concernInternational concern
On Sunday 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.On Sunday 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."
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Police on motorbikes charge protesters (Courtesy Corriere della Sera TV) - events like these are being filmed on mobile phones and uploaded onlinePolice on motorbikes charge protesters (Courtesy Corriere della Sera TV) - events like these are being filmed on mobile phones and uploaded online
Another defeated candidate, Mohsen Rezaie, also officially contested the results. The Guardian Council said it would rule on both complaints within 10 days.Another defeated candidate, Mohsen Rezaie, also officially contested the results. The Guardian Council said it would rule on both complaints within 10 days.
Late on Sunday Mr Mousavi met Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to pursue his case against the results of Friday's election.Late on Sunday Mr Mousavi met Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to pursue his case against the results of Friday's election.
Mr Khamanei's office said he had told the candidate that "complaints should be followed through legal channels" and urged Mr Mousavi to "follow the issue calmly".Mr Khamanei's office said he had told the candidate that "complaints should be followed through legal channels" and urged Mr Mousavi to "follow the issue calmly".
Sunday also saw clashes between the police and anti-Ahmadinejad protesters in several parts of Tehran for a second day.
POST-POLL CRACKDOWN More than 100 opposition figures arrested, including the brother of ex-reformist President Khatami.Local and international phone and text message services interruptedSocial networking and newspaper websites blockedBBC says "heavy electronic jamming" from inside Iran disrupts its Persian TV serviceInternational journalists arrested and asked to leaveIranian newspapers do not carry reports of the violence Source: Various reportsPOST-POLL CRACKDOWN More than 100 opposition figures arrested, including the brother of ex-reformist President Khatami.Local and international phone and text message services interruptedSocial networking and newspaper websites blockedBBC says "heavy electronic jamming" from inside Iran disrupts its Persian TV serviceInternational journalists arrested and asked to leaveIranian newspapers do not carry reports of the violence Source: Various reports
Police hit protesters with batons and charged them on motorbikes. Sunday saw clashes between the police and anti-Ahmadinejad protesters in several parts of Tehran for a second day.Police hit protesters with batons and charged them on motorbikes.
Mousavi supporters cried "death to the dictator" into the evening. Scores of people are reported to have been arrested.Mousavi supporters cried "death to the dictator" into the evening. Scores of people are reported to have been arrested.
Mr Ahmadinejad dismissed the unrest as "passions after a soccer match".Mr Ahmadinejad dismissed the unrest as "passions after a soccer match".
Foreign powers have expressed concern about the election.Foreign powers have expressed concern about the election.
In an interview on US television, Vice-President Joe 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, Vice-President Joe 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."
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.


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