Khatami: Iran election 'coup' against democracy

Tehran: Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is calling the outcome of disputed elections a "velvet coup" against democracy.

Khatami's statement comes two days after Iran's powerful Guardian Council confirmed that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was the landslide winner over Mir Hussain Mousavi in June 12 elections.

Mousavi claims fraud robbed him of victory, touching off the worst civil unrest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The reformist Khatami says the harsh crackdown after the election has undermined the confidence in the nation's rulers.

The statement on Wednesday accused Iran's leadership of a "velvet coup against the people and democracy."

Iran's ruling clerics accused foreign powers of pushing for a "velvet revolution" in the country.