Guards warn reformists against 'velvet revolution' in Iran

Dubai: Iranians head to the polls on Friday in one of the most closely fought elections as president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces a serious challenge from moderate rival Mir Hussain Mousavi, who has pledged to increase personal freedoms and present a "happier face to the world".

However, Mousavi received a sharp warning that authorities would crush any attempt at a popular "revolution" inspired by the huge rallies and street parties calling for more freedoms.

The threat on Wednesday by an official of the powerful Revolutionary Guards marked a sharp escalation by the ruling clerics against the youth-driven campaign of Mousavi and its hopes of an underdog victory.

The Revolutionary Guards are a pillar of the Islamic establishment.

The message from the Guards' political chief, Yadollah Javani, appeared to have a dual purpose: to rattle Mousavi's backers just before the polls and to warn that it would not tolerate the formation of a post-election political force under the banner of Mousavi's "green movement" - the signature colour of his campaign.

"There are many indications that some extremist [reformist] groups, have designed a colourful revolution," he said. Javani vowed that any "attempt at a velvet revolution will be nipped in the bud."

President Ahmadinejad, who has ruled the Islamic Republic since 2005 with the support of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has maintained his anti-western stance and trumpeted his achievements in defying the "imperialists and Zionists" by making Iran a nuclear state.

Analysts say Ahmadinejad is facing a genuine challenge from Mousavi, who has benefited from a surge in popularity.

Mousavi, 67, was prime minister in the '80s when he kept Iranians supplied with rationed goods in the war with Iraq.

Running partly on that economic record, he says he would seek detente with the West, curb inflation and create jobs.

The 110,237 Iranian voters living in the UAE may cast their ballots at the Iranian embassy in Abu Dhabi, consulate-general in Dubai and rented halls in Al Ain, Sharjah and Fujairah, the Foreign Ministry said.