Iranian opposition leader renews his rally call

MEHR - Mehdi Karroubi

Iranian opposition leader, Mehdi Karroubi announced once more that he will participate in the February 11 demonstrations and also that he has no faith in a religious government that uses the Friday Mass Prayers for jubilation in the death of its nation’s children.

Ahamd Janati, chairman of Iran’s Guardian Council, two weeks earlier at Tehran’s Friday Mass prayers, commended the judiciary for the execution of two dissidents and called for even more executions.

In an interview with Spiegel, Karroubi emphasized that he does not regard Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government as a legitimately elected government; however, he still believes that it must remain accountable for its policies.

He also added that there is no reconciliation between protesters and the government, and rejected all reports to the contrary.

The opposition leader maintained that if the “military forces” were not behind Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, “this very conservative parliament would topple him, because a wide range of conservative factions do not accept him.”

Mehdi Karroubi also renewed the rally call to his supporters adding that he will attend the events himself and will also inform his supporters of the location where he intends to join the march.

Election protesters have announced that they will stage demonstrations on February 11, the anniversary of Iran’s 1979 Revolution, to renew their protests against the Ahmadinejad government which they claim was brought back to a new term in presidency through election fraud.

Islamic Republic authorities have increased pressure on political and social activists since two weeks ago in an attempt to defuse the presence of protesters on this day. In addition the internet, which is the main source of information for protesters, has also been heavily obstructed in recent days.