BBC News - Iran opposition leader Karoubi acknowledges president

Karoubi maintains his belief that the president's re-election was rigged

Prominent Iran opposition leader Mehdi Karoubi has said he recognises Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president, despite saying last year's poll was rigged.

Mr Karoubi had refused to accept the president's controversial re-election.

Mr Karoubi's son says his father still has doubts about the vote, but accepts the results following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's endorsement.

Opposition activists are preparing for a new round of anti-Ahmadinejad protests on Revolution Day next month.

According to Iran's Fars news agency, Hossein Karoubi quoted his father as saying: "I am still of the same belief that the election was unhealthy and massively rigged.

"But since the [supreme] leader [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] endorsed [Mr Ahmadinejad's victory], I believe that he is the head of the government, meaning he is the president."

The ex-speaker of parliament, who came fourth in the disputed June presidential election, added: "I still maintain that there were problems [in the election]."

Widespread protests erupted in Iran after the election, with hundreds of anti-government demonstrators arrested.


BBC News