At least 13 people died and 20 injured in the unrest in Tehran on Saturday, Iranian officials on Sunday said. According to them, the casualties occurred after some "terrorist elements" infiltrated the rallies. The "terrorists" set a mosque and two gas stations on fire and attacked a military post. According to reformist sources, the death toll of Saturday's violence is much higher.
Meanwhile, police said earlier they successfully managed to restore security in the main streets of the capital.
On his part, Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Sunday slammed what he called as "Western efforts to dramatize the post-election unrest" in the country. In a Sunday address to foreign reporters, Mottaki responded to "irresponsible and intrusive remarks" made by certain Western countries.
He focused much of his criticism on France, Germany and Britain, advising them to "think twice before questioning the democratic process of the recent election". The Iranian minister attacked his British eer for his "inappropriate and illogical" comments on Iran's elections. He blamed Britain for causing insecurity in the Middle East by helping create the Zionist regime (Israel) decades ago.
The foreign minister also criticized France and demanded an apology from Paris. Germany also came under criticism. Mottaki said Berlin's position indicated that German officials were intimidated by Israelis.
© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
