Saturday, August 22, 2009

Five weeks after he challenged Khamenei's authority, Rafsanjani urges Iranians to "stand behind Supreme Leader"....

Photo
Reuters, here

"... Saturday's conciliatory statement appeared to be in contrast to a hard-hitting sermon Rafsanjani delivered in mid-July, when he declared the Islamic Republic in crisis and demanded an end to arrests of moderates following the vote.

Shortly after that Friday prayer sermon, 50 members of the powerful 86-seat Assembly of Experts called on him to show more support for Khamenei, who endorsed Ahmadinejad's re-election in the presidential election, which reformers say was rigged. Rafsanjani, a veteran of the revolution, backed moderate Mirhossein Mousavi in the vote.....

It quoted Rafsanjani as saying: "Those in control of podiums, influence and media should avoid stirring schisms ... and take steps toward the creation of unity."

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