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Khatami calls for Iran referendum Khatami calls for Iran referendum
(9 minutes later)
The former president of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, has called for a referendum on the legitimacy of the government, following June's disputed elections.The former president of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, has called for a referendum on the legitimacy of the government, following June's disputed elections.
Mr Khatami, quoted on Iranian websites, said millions of Iranians had lost faith in the electoral process.Mr Khatami, quoted on Iranian websites, said millions of Iranians had lost faith in the electoral process.
The Iranian opposition, including Mr Khatami and the defeated presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, say the election was rigged.The Iranian opposition, including Mr Khatami and the defeated presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, say the election was rigged.
Only the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, can organise a referendum.Only the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, can organise a referendum.
He has already declared the elections, won by the incumbent, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as valid. He has already declared the elections, which the incumbent, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, won by a landslide, as valid.
Thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets after the poll results were announced, to protest against what they saw as mass fraud. Thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets after the poll results were announced, to protest against what they saw as mass fraud. At least 20 people are believed to have died in the clashes.
At least 20 people are thought to have died during weeks of clashes. Mass fraud
The authorities banned all gatherings and the protests have died down in recent weeks. Mr Khatami said the referendum should be carried out by an independent body.
On Friday, another former president, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said the government had lost the trust of millions in Iran.
In a sermon at Tehran University, he also called for all those detained since the elections to be released.
His words - broadcast live on state radio - brought thousands back out onto the streets, the first public opposition demonstration for more than a week. They chanted slogans in support of Mr Mousavi.
Mr Rafsanjani is a key power-broker in Iranian politics.