">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Mousavi seeks to overturn Iran election result
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Mousavi seeks to overturn Iran election result
Reuters - Monday, June 15
By Parisa Hafezi and Fredrik Dahl
ADVERTISEMENT
TEHRAN - Defeated candidate Mirhossein Mousavi demanded Sunday that Iran's presidential election be annulled and urged more protests, while tens of thousands of people hailed the victory of the hardline Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Mousavi's supporters again took to the streets after violence Saturday, clashing with police in protests that have underscored political rifts exposed by Friday's disputed vote.
In a statement on his website, Mousavi said he had formally asked the Guardian Council, a legislative body, to cancel the election result. "I urge you, Iranian nation, to continue your nationwide protests in a peaceful and legal way," he added.
The unrest that has rocked Tehran and other cities since results were declared Saturday is the sharpest expression of discontent against the Islamic Republic's leadership for years.
The election result has disconcerted Western powers trying to induce the world's fifth biggest oil exporter to curb its nuclear program. U.S. President Barack Obama had urged Iran's leadership "to unclench its fist" for a new start in ties.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden cast doubt on the election result, but said Washington was reserving its position for now.
"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," he told NBC's "Meet the Press" when asked if Ahmadinejad had won the vote.
SEA OF FLAGS
Ahmadinejad appeared amid a sea of red, white and green Iranian flags waved by partisans thronging Tehran's Vali-e Asr square, some perched on rooftops or cars, to applaud the victory he achieved with a surprising 63 percent of the vote.
"Some ... say the vote is disrupted, there has been a fraud. Where are the irregularities in the election?" he said in a speech that the crowd punctuated with roars of approval.
"Some people want democracy only for their own sake. Some want elections, freedom, a sound election. They recognise it only as long as the result favours them," he declared.
Tarverdi Chegine, a 35-year-old government employee, told Reuters: "We have a very brave president. I love him."
He said anti-Ahmadinejad protesters were not true Iranians. "They belong to the West. They belong to Bush. We are anti-Bush."
After the rally, witnesses said Ahmadinejad and Mousavi supporters clashed on a main Tehran street. A Reuters reporter saw fires and broken glass on the street, people throwing stones, and riot police on motorbikes. One policeman was beating people on the pavement with a rubber truncheon
About 2,000 students at the nearby Tehran University, some with Mousavi posters, others covering their faces with bandanas, chanted anti-government slogans and taunted riot police across the road outside. Some threw stones at police when they chased protesters who had tried to gather outside the university gates.
Abdul Reza, 26, standing behind the gates and watching as police charged the crowd outside, said: "Mousavi is the real president of Iran. Ahmadinejad did not win the election."
Ahmadinejad described the election as "clean and healthy," dismissing complaints by defeated candidates as sour grapes.
"They may be upset by their failure," he told a news conference. "They spent a lot of money to make propaganda expected to win, so it is natural they are disappointed."
He consigned Iran's nuclear dispute to the past, signalling no nuclear policy change in his second term, and warned that any country that attacked his own would regret it. "Who dares to attack Iran? Who even dares to think about it?" he asked.
Iran's refusal to halt nuclear work the West suspects is aimed at making bombs, a charge Tehran denies, has sparked talk of possible U.S. or Israeli strikes on its nuclear sites.
FRENCH CONCERN
France signalled its concern over what was happening in Iran, which Henri Guaino, a top adviser to President Nicolas Sarkozy, said "is clearly not good news for anyone, neither for the Iranians nor for peace and stability in the world."
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said repression of opponents was closing off dialogue. "Brutality and never-ending military development will not bring any solutions," he said.
Police have detained over 100 reformers, including a brother of former President Mohammad Khatami, a leading reformer said. A police official denied Khatami's brother had been arrested.
Interior Ministry officials have rejected accusations of election fraud and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's top authority, has called on Iranians to back their president.
A senior Western diplomat in Tehran said he believed the authorities would soon subdue the street unrest, but said Ahmadinejad's re-election battle had exposed a polarising power struggle between radicals and moderate conservatives which could affect the Islamic Republic's long-term stability.
"There is turbulence in the whole system," he added.
A spokesman for Mousavi said his newspaper, Kalameh-ye Sabz, and its website had been shut down. Mobile telephone text services have also been interrupted in Tehran for several days, and the British Broadcasting Corporation said Iran was using "heavy electronic jamming" to interrupt its widely watched BBC Persian television service.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Reports: Italy seizes radioactive biomass fuelAP - Monday, June 15
Netanyahu endorses Palestinian independenceAP - 1 hour 40 minutes ago
Texas teen hopes to raise $1 million for hospitalAP - Monday, June 15
Pastor Jakes says he barely avoided home blastAP - Monday, June 15
Netanyahu to accept Palestinian state, official saysReuters - Monday, June 15
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Earth-Venus smash-up possible in 3.5 billion years: study
Dumped mattress lands cash in trash in Israel
Paris bailiffs chase Saudi princess for unpaid bills
Obama signs note for girl who played hooky to see him
Luanda is world's most expensive expat city: survey
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Monday, 15 June 2009 Netanyahu endorses Palestinian independence
Anderson favourite for BP post: report
US-TECH Summary
Netanyahu to accept Palestinian state, official says
Croatia claims world's largest pair of jeans
Netanyahu calls for demilitarised Palestinian state
Orthodox Jews launch "kosher" search engine
Ahmadinejad brushes off Iran election violence
Mousavi seeks to overturn Iran election result
UK suffers first H1N1 flu death
| International
|
Carter visits West Bank settlers to 'listen'
Italy backs citizens patrols, despite fascist past
| International
|
Argentine glacier advances despite global warming
Texas teen hopes to raise $1 million for hospital
Pakistan orders offensive against Taliban chief
Pastor Jakes says he barely avoided home blast
Chief of Bangkok's fabled Oriental Hotel retires
Co-op compromise gives White House a health option
S.Korea confirms one woman missing in Yemen
Hearing to air VA mistakes with hospital equipment
Thai PM warns against swine flu panic
EPA to rebuild uranium-contaminated Navajo homes
McConnell says blocking Sotomayor is an option
Sick sea critters aided by Marine Mammal Center
A look at the hardest hit counties
Strong 6.1-magnitude quake rocks Philippines: USGS
Ailing factory towns face tougher road to recovery
John Brown's fearsome pikes still hold fascination
Hangover gives Murphy a headache at box office
| Entertainment
|
"Hangover" gives Murphy a headache at box office
Did Showtime hope nurses would hate Jackie?
Malawi father drops fight to stop Madonna adoption
Minn. woman who lost music-share suit gets replay
British businesses say no economic growth until 2010
Iran bans planned Mousavi rally in Tehran
| International
|
Detroit summit seeks new economic vision
Netanyahu bows to Obama, accepts Palestinian state
| International
|
Airbus warns of possible big drop in orders this year
NASA plans Wednesday launch for Endeavour
Americans transferred from Iraqi to US custody
Pakistan orders offensive against Taliban chief
| International
|
Air France search enters third week, focus on black boxes
Nigerian rebels claim attack on Chevron facility
| International
|
Netanyahu backs demilitarised Palestinian state
UAE to have aircraft parts factory
Dreams dashed in Greek homes market bust
| International
|
Japan PM support sinks as opposition wins local poll
| International
|
A&M president resigns before regents meeting
Nokia launches new touch-screen music phone
| Technology
|
Several teens injured in van crash in Cascades
Southwest plane makes emergency landing in Georgia
Education chief hopes stimulus will push standards
Strike cripples life in Nepal's capital
Thousands Left Without Power After Severe Weather Hits Southern U.S.
Philippine lawmaker wants the dead to stop voting
Hearing for museum shooting suspect set for Monday
Two Workers Perish After Falling From Louisiana Bridge
US Gen. McChrystal takes command in Afghanistan
Decomposing Female Body Found In Colorado Orchard
Dolly Parton surprises Girl Scouts, presents badge
Chinese sub, US sonar collision accidental: report
Holocaust Museum Shooter Likely To Survive Injuries, Face Murder Charge
S.Korea's Lee heads for US summit on N.Korea nukes
FAA: At least 2 dead in small plane crash in NY
No Widespread Disruptions Reported Because Of Digital Switch
Arrest Made In Cat Slayings That Terrorized South Florida Residents
Son of alleged museum shooter expresses remorse
Pentagon Official Charged With Spying For China
Australia tries tough love to heal Aboriginal woes
Gas Leak To Blame For Slim Jim Plant Blast
Glitches seen in China's filtering software
Riots Continue Over Iranian Election, Obama Administration Closely Monitoring
Pakistan FM seeks aid to combat Taliban spread
21 Florida Boy Scouts Get Swine Flu
N.Korea may have more nuclear test sites: report
Global Weather-Celsius
Hangover gives Murphy headache at box office
| Entertainment
|
Budget fails to boost Pakistani stocks; rupee steady
N.Y. indie film studio launches in tough times
| Entertainment
|
Bruce Springsteen finds new fans at Bonnaroo fest
| Entertainment
|
South Korean president sees end to economic slide
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
N.Y. indie film studio launches in tough times
TV Guide Channel cuts staffers, downgrades shows
| Entertainment
|
China sees foreign direct investment drop 17.8pct
TV Guide Channel cuts staffers, downgrades shows
Ailing Aerosmith guitarist eyes return next month
| Entertainment
|
NZ economy set for sharp contraction in Q1
Susan Boyle pulls out of singing engagement
Taiwan dollar weakens on importers, stocks
Biz places bets on fresh talent at Vegas film fest
| Entertainment
|
New York cemetery goes on sale
Korea Hot Stocks
Ex-cons on kitchen duty on Canadian TV show
| Entertainment
|
S.Korea T-bonds rebound on fin min remarks
Local fare gets top billing in 'locavore' trend
Cinema ads suffer slowing growth
| Entertainment
|
Indie film studio launches with $300M, big goals
Seoul shares open lower; banks, Daewoo Motor fall
India's HIV victims find solace in marriage
New Zealand services sector higher in May
Springsteen, Phish, Al Green jam at Bonnaroo
S.Korea vows to smooth excessive won movements
Defiant Iran opposition stages rally amid world outcry
French PM opens Paris Air Show
US general assumes command in Afghanistan
Palestinian dismay, U.S. and EU caution on Netanyahu
| International
|
Mobile money to poor seen $5 billion market in 2012
Boeing, Airbus lift gloom at Paris Air Show
Colly calls for England repeat against Windies
Nokia launches new touch-screen music phone
EU ready to help settle Guantanamo ex-detainees
| International
|
Iran in spotlight at IAEA meet
ETA claims responsibility for five attacks
Three women captives shot dead in Yemen
| International
|
Europe, US call Netanyahu speech step towards peace
U.S. commander sees fewer foreign fighters in Iraq
| International
|
ElBaradei prods Iran not to ignore Obama overture
| International
|
Insurgents killed in Afghanistan: US military
Ahmadinejad delays Russia visit after election
| International
|
Police beat protesters in Georgian capital
| International
|
Lebanon busts key Qaeda cell: army commander
Nokia launches new touch-screen music phone
Obama urges doctors to back his health care plans
Berlusconi in Washington to meet with Obama
NYC cabby transforms backseat into art studio
Pakistan pounds Taliban, braces for tribal belt assault
Daschle: Tort retorm necessary in health care bill
Virgin Media, Universal to offer unlimited music
| Technology
|
Philippines says seizes rebel bases
NYC teen wakes to find unwelcome snake visitor
Mobile money to poor seen $5 billion market in 2012
| Technology
|
Malaysian police fire tear gas at Iranian protest
Grizzly bear victim, savior to meet in Montana
Buddhist man beheaded in southern Thailand
Ore. project would use manure, tires for energy
Obama's Day: President to push health plan to AMA
Philippines orders return of Marcos jewellery
U.S. air base in Kyrgyzstan starts shutting down
Court rules KRouge jail chief's rights violated
Western governors dip into growing water demand
HK confirms 9 new swine flu cases; total at 101
Philippine military: 93 rebels killed in assaults
Vietnam passengers cheat flu scan with fever reducers
Australia's Toll to help revive Cambodian railway
B'way ticket availability through Sunday, June 21
China shares gain as premier reaffirms easy policy
`Imagine That' director also sings on soundtrack
JAL to cut flights in Asia on slow recovery
Review: `Bataan Death March' detailed, chilling
Nokia eyes Asia's untapped markets
Susan Boyle due back on tour after rest day
| Entertainment
|
SKorea firms 'linked to Myanmar gas abuse'
Susan Boyle due back on tour after "rest day"
Taiwan sells 10-yr bonds, yield below forecasts
CBS orders more "I Get That" hidden-camera shows
S.Korean truckers end strike after deal struck
"Terminator" still top film overseas
Foreign companies eye India with cautious optimism
Obama Continues Healthcare Focus Monday With Address At American Medical Association
Ex-cons on kitchen duty on Canadian TV show
Obama Continues Healthcare Focus Monday With Address At American Medical Association
Nikkei falls on profit-taking after hitting 10,000
Biz places bets on fresh talent at Vegas film fest
Report: Gov. Pawlenty To Explore Nationwide Support For 2012 White House Bid
Seoul shares fall led by banks;N.Korea worries weigh
CBS orders more I Get That hidden-camera shows
| Entertainment
|
Passenger plane in Indonesia skids off runway
Cinema ads suffer slowing growth
CIA Chief Accuses Cheney Of Dangerous Politics; Says Former VP Almost Wishes For Another Terror Attack
Two Dead After Small Plane Crashes Into NY River
Official: Sumatran elephant poisoned in Indonesia
Biden Won't Rule Out Another White House Bid
Despite Palestinian Rejection, Obama Hails Netanyahu's Speech Accepting A Palestinian State With Conditions
Arrest Made In Cat Slayings That Terrorized South Florida Residents
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights