8 Jul 2009

President defends election result

8:49 am on 8 July 2009

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran has defended his re-election as the world's "most free" despite ongoing opposition claims that it was rigged.

According to official results, Mr Ahmadinejad was re-elected with 63% of the vote on 12 June.

However, main challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi has called for the result to be annulled on the grounds of electoral fraud.

Subsequent street protests saw at least 17 people killed.

In a televised address, Mr Ahmadinejad blamed foreign powers for trying to sabotage the vote.

He said "significant" changes would be made to his government in the fields of employment, housing and culture.