Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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September 11, 2009

Iran's Supreme Leader Warns Opposition of Harsh Response
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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says differences of opinion and criticism could
be tolerated, but if anyone stands against Islamic republic, they would
be met with harsh response 
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (file photo)Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei has warned that anyone
resisting or threatening the nation's authority will be directly
confronted. In comments delivered as he led weekly prayers at
Tehran University Friday, the ayatollah said differences of opinion and
criticism could be tolerated, but if anyone stands against the Islamic
republic, they would be met with a harsh response. The comments
appeared to be directed towards Iran's opposition parties that disputed
the outcome of June's presidential elections. Ayatollah Khamenei
endorsed the controversial June vote that re-elected Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Government opponents say the election was
fraudulent, and it set off days of street demonstrations. Thousands
of Iranians were arrested for protesting the outcome of the election.
Opposition leaders say many of those arrested remain in custody.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.


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