Iran Cleric Wants Opposition Leaders Detained

An influential Iranian cleric has called for the arrest of opposition leaders for their role in demonstrations following June's controversial presidential election.

Hard-line cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati told worshippers at Friday prayers in Tehran that those leaders incited post-election "riots" that resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people. He did not mention anyone by name.

Jannati, who heads Iran's powerful Guardian Council, said arresting those responsible is the "first thing" that must be done.

The opposition contends that the June 12 election was fraudulent. Defeated presidential candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi have called for new elections, sparking the ire of backers of re-elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Rights groups say hundreds of activists have been detained since the post-election crisis, and that many are still in jail.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.