国际英语新闻：Mousavi's supporters hold new massive rally in Tehran

TEHRAN, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Supporters of Iran's defeated presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi staged their latest massive rally on Wednesday in central Tehran, Iran's state television reported.

    Television footage showed that the demonstrators were holding placards in support of Mousavi and the presenter said the rally took place at the Haft-e Tir Square in central Tehran.

Demonstrators head towards Azadi (freedom) square during a rally in support of defeated presidential candidate Mirhossein Mousavi in western Tehran June 15, 2009

Mousavi's supporters have participated in massive rallies in Tehran and other cities over the past four days.

    Since Tuesday afternoon, foreign journalists have been banned from covering events on Iran's streets and they are forced to work only in their offices.

    According to a statement posted on his website on Wednesday, Mousavi also called on his supporters to stage a peaceful mourning rally or gather in mosques on Thursday.

    The statement called on his supporters to express their sympathy with the families of the killed or wounded people in the post-election unrest.

Supporters of Iran's former Prime Minister Mousavi hold pictures of Mousavi during a rally in Tehran, capital of Iran, June 15, 2009

"In recent days, a number of our countrymen were wounded and a number were martyred ... I ask the people to express their sympathy with the families of the martyred and wounded .... by coming together in mosques or staging a peaceful rally using the symbols of mourning," Mousavi said.

    "I will attend the ceremony myself," he added.

    On Tuesday, supporters of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Mousavi held separate massive rallies in Tehran, state television reported.

Supporters of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hold his picture during a rally in Tehran June 16, 2009. Picture taken June 16, 2009

Thousands of pro-Ahmadinejad Iranians gathered at the Vali Asr Square in downtown Tehran Tuesday afternoon for a "unifying rally," while supporters of Mousavi also held a massive rally at the Vanak Square upper north in the city.

    Earlier Tuesday, Mousavi's supporters were reportedly planning to hold a massive rally at the Vali Asr Square, but later Mousavi urged them not to go there, warning that people "should be careful not to be trapped in the preplanned confrontation."

    On Saturday afternoon, Iran's Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli said Ahmadinejad won 62.63 percent of the total ballots during Friday's vote, while his main rival Mousavi got 33.75 percent.

    After the official declaration, Mousavi protested "strongly" the "obvious" violations in Iran's presidential election. He also appealed to the Guardian Council for a cancellation of the election result.

    The council has agreed on a re-count of disputed ballot boxes in last week's presidential election if it finds irregularities in the vote count, Press TV said.