http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Iran/10332285.html
AP
Rafsanajni also called on all Iranians to abide by the law in order to find a
solution to the current political crisis.
Iran in crisis, Rafsanjani tells Friday worshippers
Reuters
Published: July 17, 2009, 14:22
Tehran: In apparent defiance of Iran's supreme leader, a powerful cleric
declared his country in crisis after a disputed poll, and tens of thousands of
protesters used Friday prayers yesterday to stage the biggest show of dissent
for weeks.
Former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a moderate who backed
Mousavi's election campaign, said many Iranians had doubts about the official
result of the June 12 vote.
"I hope with this sermon we can pass through this period of hardships
that can be called a crisis," said the influential cleric, leading prayers for
the first time since the poll.
Clashes erupted later in central Tehran between police and followers of
opposition leader Mir Hussain Mousavi, who still contests the election result
that showed hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had been re-elected by a
wide margin.
"Police fired tear gas and beat supporters of Mousavi in Keshavarz
Boulevard," a witness said, adding that protesters were carrying hundreds of
green banners - Mousavi's campaign colour - and chanting "Ahmadinejad, resign,
resign".
Defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi was attacked by
men in plainclothes on his way to the mosque. The former parliament speaker
nevertheless attended the weekly prayers.
No senior establishment figure has previously described the post-election
turmoil as a crisis for Iran. Rafsanjani's remarks posed a clear challenge to
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has upheld the election result and
accused foreign powers of fomenting the unrest. In the streets outside Tehran
University, police used tear gas and batons to disperse Mousavi supporters who
had flocked to the prayers.
How significant is Rafsanjani's speech in impacting the situation in
Iran? Do you expect any action from the authorities on those imprisoned during
the protests, following Rafsanjani's appeal for their release?
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