Ayatollah backs election result
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10:07 GMT, Friday, 19 June 2009 11:07 UK
Iran's Supreme Leader has issued a stern warning that protests against the country's disputed presidential election results must end.
The ayatollah strongly denied the election result had been rigged
In his first public remarks after days of demonstrations, Ayatollah Khamenei said the outcome must be decided at the ballot box, not on the street.
He said political leaders would be blamed for any violence.
Demonstrators calling for a new election earlier vowed to stage fresh protests on Saturday.
Addressing thousands of people at Tehran University, the ayatollah voiced support for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying his views on foreign affairs and social issues were close to his.