Violence Hits Iran after Ahmadinejad Re-Election

Thousands of opposition supporters have clashed with police after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner of Iran's presidential poll.

Secret police have been attacked, while riot police used batons and tear gas against backers of Mir Hossein Mousavi, who called the results a "charade".

Correspondents say the violence is the worst seen in Tehran in a decade. The official results gave Ahmadinejad 63% of the vote against just 34% for Mousavi, the BBC reported.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the high turnout of 85%, described the count as a "real celebration" and called for calm. "Enemies may want to spoil the sweetness of this event... with some kind of ill-intentioned provocations," the ayatollah said.

Mousavi has also claimed victory, as his supporters said the election had been stolen and vowed to appeal for a re-run.

But observers say this would have little chance of success. Some of the protesters in Tehran wore Mousavi's campaign colour of green and chanted "Down with the dictator", news agencies report.

Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli warned that any demonstrations needed official permission, and none had been given.

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