Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Iran supremo slams 'meddling', reformers eye referendum
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:
Iran supremo slams 'meddling', reformers eye referendum
AFP - Tuesday, July 21
TEHRAN (AFP) - - Iran's supreme leader warned on Monday against any attempt to destabilise the Islamic republic as reformists called for a referendum to try to resolve the most damaging crisis since the revolution.
ADVERTISEMENT
In a speech carried on state television, the nation's most powerful man Ayatollah Ali Khamenei again accused foreign countries of interference in the violent aftermath of last month's hotly-disputed presidential election.
"The enemies of the Iranian people, via their media, are giving instructions to the troublemakers to cause disorder, destruction and violence, while at the same insisting they are not interfering in Iranian internal affairs," he said.
"Anyone, no matter their rank or title, will be detested by the people if they lead our society towards insecurity," he said. "Our leaders must be vigilant. Any word or action which helps (the enemies) will be contrary to the interests of our people."
Iranian leaders have repeatedly lashed out at Western nations, accusing them of stoking the unrest unleashed after the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in what the opposition protested was a fraudulent poll on June 12.
"While the meddling of foreign nations and their media in particular is clear, their pretence that they are not interfering in Iran's internal affairs is a sign of their dishonour," Khamenei said.
In particular, Iran has taken aim at Britain, arresting nine local staff at the British embassy in Tehran and expelling the permanent BBC correspondent. The last remaining embassy employee was released on bail on Sunday.
Khamenei's address follows a hard-hitting speech by former president and powerful cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who said on Friday the regime had lost the people's trust, in his first public comments since the election.
Ahmadinejad's reformist predecessor Mohammad Khatami voiced a similar sentiment on Monday, and he and his supporters called for a referendum to resolve a crisis that has rocked the roots of the 30-year-old Islamic republic.
Khatami, whose 1997-2005 presidency saw a thaw in relations with the West, expressed concern that "public confidence in the system has been damaged," the ILNA news agency reported.
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in the immediate aftermath of the vote but at least 20 people were killed in the ensuing violence and hundreds of protestors and reformists arrested by the regime.
The Association of Combatant Clerics, a group founded by Khatami, called for an independent referendum to try to find a way out of the crisis, although under the constitution only the supreme leader can organise such a public vote.
"During the recent election, the people's confidence was seriously damaged and for millions of people there is a belief that... the people's vote was altered and something other than the people's choice was announced," it said.
The clerics also denounced the campaign of "violence, murder and arrests" against protesters and warned: "Everyone will lose if this situation continues."
Rafsanjani, who lost to Ahmadinejad in the 2005 election and was attacked by the incumbent during this year's fiery election campaign, said on Friday he had drawn up a possible solution to the crisis.
"These are bitter times. I don't think anybody from any faction wanted it to end like this. We have all lost. We need unity more than ever," he added.
Ahmadinejad's efforts to form a new government have faced problems after even his own supporters came out against his choice of first vice president, the controversial Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie.
Mashaie's website on Monday denied media reports that he had quit only three days after being named, describing the reports as "lies" aimed at tarnishing the government.
Mashaie, whose daughter is married to Ahmadinejad's son, last year earned the wrath of many conservatives for saying Iran is a "friend of the Israeli people."
The leading conservative newspaper Kayhan, which is close to Ahmadinejad, and hardline cleric Ahmad Khatami have called for the president to rescind the appointment, with one MP calling it "unacceptable."
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Pakistan ambush kills four police: officialsAFP - Monday, July 20
Kids' lower IQ scores linked to prenatal pollutionAP - Monday, July 20
STIMULUS WATCH: Neediest areas not first for moneyAP - Monday, July 20
Starting to get crowded in 100-year-olds' clubAP - Monday, July 20
Fears of civil war as Honduras talks collapseAFP - Tuesday, July 21
Enlarge Photo
Iranian opposition supporters attend Friday prayers outside Tehran University before holding a protest last week. Iran's supreme leader has warned against any attempt to destabilise the Islamic republic as reformists call for a referendum to try to resolve the most damaging crisis since the revolution.
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Shark attack victims fight for their attackers
Man who went to the moon and came back an artist
World's oldest man, British WWI veteran dies at 113
Madonna visits family of dead Marseille stage hand
British airlines blocking swine flu travellers
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, 20 July 2009 Ahmadinejad criticized over vice president choice
Iran bails British embassy staffer
Iran hardliners criticize Ahmadinejad over deputy
Ahmadinejad's controversial VP pick quits: report
Time to talk to Taliban: Musharraf
Ahmadinejad's controversial VP pick resigns: report
Palestinian negotiator met Iranian FM: top official
Govs resist added federal expenses from Congress
SF train operator's actions come under scrutiny
Michael Jackson's boyhood home still draws curious
Friend: Slain woman, accused husband had split
Mormon 'kiss-in' in Utah leads to shouting match
3 rescued off NJ coast after fleeing burning boat
Town on SF Bay wants to photograph every car
Chances of OJ winning release? Depends who you ask
Palin: Alaska tour is thanks, not goodbye
Palin gears up to leave Alaska governor's mansion
Madonna visits family of dead Marseille stage hand
US-TECH Summary
Honduras crisis talks end in failure
| International
|
German's Merkel slams Swedish nuclear operator
British airlines blocking swine flu travellers
Fire destroys Anne Frank barracks in Netherlands
White House budget director expects better GDP figures
404 Not Found
Zuma names new chief for S.Africa's central bank
Fears for fate of French hostages in Somalia
Online music video site MUZU signs up global indies
| Technology
|
India takes firm line with Clinton on climate change
Myanmar detains dozens of opposition members
China says recent Urumqi unrest was premeditated
Rains kill 26 in Pakistan's biggest city
CORRECTED
Tiny Tuvalu says all its energy renewable by 2020
China says police killed 12 people in Urumqi unrest
NATO: Helicopter crash at Afghan base kills 16
Monsoon rain kills 16 in Pakistan: officials
AEG Live negotiates for Jackson documentary: report
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
AEG Live negotiates for Jackson documentary: report
Madonna visits victims of French stage accident
Thriller sales soar close to Eagles' Hits
| Entertainment
|
Online music video site MUZU signs up global indies
Online music video site MUZU signs up global indies
| Entertainment
|
Report: Abdul's return to 'American Idol' doubtful
Carla Bruni sings in NY at Mandela show
| Entertainment
|
AEG Live negotiates for Jackson documentary: report
| Entertainment
|
Pop collaborations take French DJ beyond clubs
Musicians' country gathering results in Glory
| Entertainment
|
"Thriller" sales soar close to Eagles' "Hits"
Musicians' country gathering results in "Glory"
"Harry Potter" smashes "Spider-Man" records
Carla Bruni sings in NY at Mandela show
Pop collaborations take French DJ beyond clubs
| Entertainment
|
USF Star Kicker Takes A Tumble Off Skyride At Busch Gardens
Father And Daughter Perish After Plunging From Waterfall
US review calls for overhaul of Bagram prison
CIT nearing three-billion-dollar rescue deal: report
Frank McCourt, of 'Angela's Ashes' fame, dead: NYT
Thousands flee western Canadian wildfires
| International
|
US marks 40 years since man stepped on the moon
NATO aircraft crashes in southern Afghanistan
| International
|
Japan opposition keeps lead ahead of poll: survey
| International
|
South Korea pushes to restart nuclear talks with North
| International
|
Indonesia TV identifies Jakarta hotel bombing suspect
| International
|
Economy, rights on agenda for ASEAN ministers
| International
|
Nicaragua's leftist president calls for re-election
| International
|
Swine flu in Vietnam forces school's closure
Pakistan: 4 police officers killed in ambush
Kids' lower IQ scores linked to prenatal pollution
STIMULUS WATCH: Neediest areas not first for money
1,000 flee homes after chemical leak in China
Report: Taiwan and China to set up tourism offices
Starting to get crowded in 100-year-olds' club
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
RNC chairman attacks Obama on health care
Microsoft deal talk, optimism overshadow results
| Technology
|
Forest fires force thousands to evacuate in Canada
Solar eclipse pits superstition against science
US envoy to discuss NKorea with Seoul officials
Abdul's return to 'Idol' reportedly doubtful
Apollo 11 astronauts look beyond moon, toward Mars
AP source: CIT board meeting Sunday night
Idaho town prays for return of captured US soldier
Japanese stock markets closed for national holiday
New Zealand services sector lower in June-survey
Seoul shares open higher on earnings momentum
NZ investor confidence lifts off lows in Q2-survey
Unseen Jackson U.K. footage on the way
'Angela's Ashes' author McCourt dies in NYC at 78
Unseen Jackson U.K. footage on the way
| Entertainment
|
USF Star Kicker Takes A Tumble Off Skyride At Busch Gardens
TN Man Arrested In Multiple Homicides Tied To Domestic Dispute
Jay-Z unveils latest Blueprint for success
| Entertainment
|
Iraq colonel: US troops now in 'prison-like bases'
Lost love letter reunites couple after 16 years
Ayatollah warns against helping Iran's enemies
| International
|
LL Cool J Quarantined During Mid-Air Flight Drama
Iceland announces relaunch of rescued banks
NATO jet crashes in Afghanistan, two hurt: military
Mumbai attacker in surprise guilty plea
| International
|
Japan PM set to call poll as party at risk of defeat
| International
|
'Afghans raise flag on highest peak'
U2 Pledges $7 Million To National Music Program For Young People
Afghans raise flag on country's highest peak
Pohoda Music Festival Storm Claims 1 Life, Injures 40
Iran supremo slams 'meddling', reformers eye referendum
404 Not Found
Iraq car bombing kills three
News Anchor Legend Walter Cronkite Dies At 92
Settlers torch West Bank trees: Palestinians
| International
|
"Angela's Ashes" Author Frank McCourt Dies At 78
Bomb kills 11 civilians in Afghanistan: officials
Saudi Government Cancels first Jeddah Film Festival
German police catch underwear thief
| International
|
Fifty-six more on trial in Turkish coup plot case
| International
|
Report: Taiwan and China exchange tourism offices
La. menagerie keeper adds 'roo pouch to outfits
Pakistan: 5 security officers killed in northwest
One dead, six wounded in Philippine blasts
Grenade blast wounds 7 in southern Philippine city
Obama takes on health care, meets Apollo 11 crew
China's drinking culture in spotlight: state media
Trial resumes for evangelist accused of sex crimes
SKorea deciding how to inspect suspicious NK ships
NKorea shows no signs on nuke talks: US envoy
EMC takes control of Data Domain
| Technology
|
Locally killed is latest trend in high grade meat
Clinton touts prospects for better ties with India
Miss. shows Katrina recovery at govs' convention
EU sets hearing over Google books deal
| Technology
|
Obama's approval rating drops below 60 pct
IT spending forecasts improve, Cisco popular: UBS
| Technology
|
Thailand's exports decline for eighth month
Clinton touts prospects for better ties with India
San Miguel toll road investment, eyes Dole Food
Seoul shares at 10-mth closing high; techs, banks up =2
Samsung Elec to invest $4.3 bln in green R&D
Chinese oil firms to 'buy stake in Angola block'
Aussie MasterChef hits out at 'fix' claims
Competition aims to make Bruce Lee home a museum
Cambodia set to award Total oil exploration rights
Seoul shares at 10-mth closing high;techs, banks up
1st funeral held for Jakarta bomb victims
Jakarta hotel suicide bomber identified: reports
Jay-Z unveils latest "Blueprint" for success
Pakistani c.bank buys 5.0 bln rupees of govt paper
Harry Potter smashes Spider-Man records
| Entertainment
|
Korea Hot Stocks
Madonna visits workers injured in French stage collapse
| Entertainment
|
Unfinished Greene novel serialized in magazine
| Entertainment
|
Antichrist director says outrage suits me fine
| Entertainment
|
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