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19/06/2009
Iran's Ayatollah Slams Britain As 'Most Treacherous Enemy'
The supreme leader of Iran has slammed international criticism of the presidential election.
In his first address to the nation since the biggest street protests broke out in the Islamic Republic's 30-year history, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today accused the UK government of being among the "most treacherous" of Western powers.
He also criticised Western nations for showing "their enmity against the Islamic Republic system and the most evil of them is the British government".
The Ayatollah also insisted there was no vote-rigging in the disputed presidential elections, which saw incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, declared to have won with an overwhelming majority.
Addressing tens of thousands Iranians at Tehran University, who chanted "death to the UK, the US and Israel", the country's supreme leader warned the defeated candidates and their supporters: "I am urging them to end street protests, otherwise they will be responsible for its consequences, and consequences of any chaos."
He also blamed Great Britain and Iran's external "enemies" for the unrest.
Khamenei also urged his worshippers to "be patient" and "keep control".
"Please use the hands of the enemy. Please see the hungry wolves in ambush, who are gradually even removing their mask of diplomacy and showing their true faces. Be aware of them," he said.
"Today, senior diplomats of some Western countries, who addressed us diplomatically up until today, have now removed their masks. They are showing their true faces.
"They are showing their enmity against the Islamic Republic system and the most evil of them is the British government."
Britain’s foreign ministry has summoned Iran's ambassador to a meeting.
Rasul Movaheddian was contacted by the ministry on Friday, after Khamenei's speech.
(JM/BMcC)
In his first address to the nation since the biggest street protests broke out in the Islamic Republic's 30-year history, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today accused the UK government of being among the "most treacherous" of Western powers.
He also criticised Western nations for showing "their enmity against the Islamic Republic system and the most evil of them is the British government".
The Ayatollah also insisted there was no vote-rigging in the disputed presidential elections, which saw incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, declared to have won with an overwhelming majority.
Addressing tens of thousands Iranians at Tehran University, who chanted "death to the UK, the US and Israel", the country's supreme leader warned the defeated candidates and their supporters: "I am urging them to end street protests, otherwise they will be responsible for its consequences, and consequences of any chaos."
He also blamed Great Britain and Iran's external "enemies" for the unrest.
Khamenei also urged his worshippers to "be patient" and "keep control".
"Please use the hands of the enemy. Please see the hungry wolves in ambush, who are gradually even removing their mask of diplomacy and showing their true faces. Be aware of them," he said.
"Today, senior diplomats of some Western countries, who addressed us diplomatically up until today, have now removed their masks. They are showing their true faces.
"They are showing their enmity against the Islamic Republic system and the most evil of them is the British government."
Britain’s foreign ministry has summoned Iran's ambassador to a meeting.
Rasul Movaheddian was contacted by the ministry on Friday, after Khamenei's speech.
(JM/BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few fog patches at first, soon clearing to leave a dry day with some patchy cloud and good sunny spells. Light and variable winds. Feeling mild in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
