Opposition call for mass protests

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THE Iranian opposition is calling for a million Iranians to take to the streets today.

They want them to protest against the swearing-in of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for a second four-year term, following his disputed re-election in June.

Tehran last night had the feel of a city besieged, with security forces flooding the streets to prevent further demonstrations against Mr Ahmadinejad and the clerical regime that has endorsed the June 12 presidential elections that were tainted by allegations of fraud.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei endorsed Mr Ahmadinejad for a second term as President on Monday, in a low-key event snubbed by many of Iran's prominent political figures.

In an awkward moment caught on tape, Mr Ahmadinejad attempted to kiss the hand of Ayatollah Khamenei only to be rebuffed. The supreme leader raised his left hand and momentarily stopped Mr Ahmadinejad, who spoke a few words and then kissed Ayatollah Khamenei's robe. The uneasy body language reflected much of the political tension and collateral damage since the disputed election sent Iran into its worst internal unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Mr Ahmadinejad limps toward his next four-year term as a hugely polarising figure: backed by the Islamic system but scorned by millions of opponents who claim the vote was rigged. Ayatollah Khamenei has been rattled for the first time by protesters questioning the near limitless power of the theocracy he controls.

After Mr Ahmadinejad's surprise election in 2005, Ayatollah Khamenei allowed him to kiss his hand in a show of profound loyalty. Then the Ayatollah drew him close and kissed him on both cheeks with a benevolent smile.

This time, Mr Ahmadinejad moved toward Ayatollah Khamenei but was offered only the chance to kiss the leader's robe -- a gesture of respect but far more restrained than four years ago. "It's as if Khamenei was saying, 'Hey, listen. Don't think that we are this close team we once were,"' said Patrick Clawson, deputy director at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

The state Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Mr Ahmadinejad had a cold, suggesting this could be the cause for the more cautious reception. The ceremony, a prerequisite to the President's formal swearing-in today, had in previous years been well attended by public figures, shown live on the state television stations, and was followed by street celebrations.

But this time, Iranian TV channels did not show the event live. Clashes were reported nationwide as thousands of people took to the streets in anti-government demonstrations.