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Iran condemns UN chief's 'meddling' statements

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-23 23:54

TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hassan Qashqavi on Tuesday condemned UN chief Ban Ki-moon's "meddling" statements on its internal affairs, the local ISNA news agency reported.

Commenting on Ban Ki-moon's recent statements on Iran's election results, Qashqavi said, "the UN chief, affected by the negative atmosphere created by some ... powers, has failed to notice some of the facts about the recent presidential elections in Iran."

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"Such a stance overtly contradicts the duties of the UN Secretary General, the agreed international regulations and it is obvious meddling in Iran's internal affairs," he said.  

A UN statement issued by Ban's spokesperson said on Monday that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon "is dismayed by the post-election violence" in Iran and reiterated his hopes that "the democratic will of Iranian people will be fully respected."

"The situation in Iran is of concern to the international community, and the secretary general calls on the government and the opposition to resolve peacefully their differences through dialogue and legal means," the statement said.

"He calls on the authorities to respect fundamental civil and political rights, especially the freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of information," the statement added.

Iran's Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) warned on Monday against the destabilizers of public security and law.

A statement released by the IRGC said in the current situation and following the recent clashes, the strategy of IRGC and security forces is to firmly confront the destabilizers of public security and law and the threats against the revolution, the official ISNA news agency reported.

The IRGC statement ordered demonstrators to "end the sabotage and rioting activities," warning Western countries not to support the rioters.

Turbulence has overshadowed Tehran following the disputed presidential election on June 12.

On Saturday, Iran's police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators at a main square of Tehran in the latest violent clash between protestors and security forces.

Iran's police have arrested 457 people in the post-election violence that erupted Saturday in Tehran despite warnings against illegal gatherings, local Press TV reported on Monday.

13 people were killed in clashes between Iranian police and opposition "terrorist groups" on Saturday.

On June 13, Iran's Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli said incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won 62.63 percent of the total ballots on June 12, while his main rival Mir-Hossein Mousavi got 33.75 percent.

After the official declaration, Mousavi protested "strongly" the "obvious violations" in Iran's presidential election. He also appealed to the Guardian Council for the cancellation of the election results.

Mousavi's supporters have participated in massive rallies in Tehran and other cities over the past days.