TEHRAN, IRAN - Supreme Ruler Says "No Fraud" in Recent Election
Warns Masses Against Continued Demonstrations
Iran's supreme leader today ruled out massive fraud in elections last week and warned hundreds of thousands taking part in a series of peaceful protests against the reelection of President ...
... Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to get off the streets, blaming foreign leaders and media for exploiting differences within Iran's political scene in an attempt to destabilize the Islamic Republic.![]()
Though Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized some of Ahmadinejad's campaign season conduct and condemned the killing of students by pro-regime loyalists earlier this week, he came down strongly on the side of the president and his faction while warning supporters of losing candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi of consequences if they don't end their civil disobedience.
He called pointedly for the protests to end. "If they do not end it then the consequences lie with them," he said.
At the sermon's end, Khamenei began lamenting his physical condition and weeping, a move which made the throngs of dignitaries and Basiji militiamen gathered before him weep in response. Observers said Khamenei's gesture, similar to one he made during the height of 1999 student protests, was a call for his loyalists to crack down on the demonstrators.
