Ahmadinejad re-election sparks Iran clashes

Thousands of opposition supporters have clashed with police after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner of Iran’s presidential poll.

Secret police have been attacked, while riot police used batons and tear gas against backers of Mir Hossein Mousavi, who called the results a “charade”. Correspondents say the violence is the worst seen in Tehran in a decade.

The official results gave Mr Ahmadinejad 63% of the vote against just 34% for Mr Mousavi.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the high turnout of 85%, described the count as a “real celebration” and called for calm.