30 Jun 2009

Guardian Council confirms election result in Iran

7:08 am on 30 June 2009

The top legislative body in Iran, the Guardian Council, has confirmed the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after a partial recount of votes.

Complaints of irregularities by pro-reform opponents have been dismissed.

News of the decision was announced by state TV.

Press TV said the recount on Monday involved a random 10% of the votes, and had shown no irregularities.

The Guardian Council had earlier made clear it would not annul the election, describing it last week as the healthiest in Iran since the Islamic revolution three decades ago.

The president's victory in the election on 12 June provoked widespread protests by opposition supporters.

The BBC reports 17 people are thought to have died in subsequent street protests.

Iran has repeatedly accused foreign powers - especially Britain and the United States - of meddling after the election.

Tehran has expelled two British diplomats and the UK has responded with a similar measure.

Former Prime Minister Mirhossein Mousavi, says the vote was rigged in favour of the incumbent. He has repeatedly called for the whole election to be annulled.

The council consists of 12 men: six senior clerics appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and six Islamic jurists, which must ensure all laws agree with Islamic Sharia law and Iran's constitution.

It also vets aspiring candidates for presidential elections.