Mousavi supporters pledged not to surrender

Dubai: Bowing to growing international and domestic pressure, Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday ordered the top election supervisory body to examine defeated presidential candidate Mir Hussain Mousavi's complaints, according to Iran's state television.

The city was tense after one protester was shot dead and several were wounded during a rally attended by hundreds of thousands of people demonstrating against the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The incident occurred in front of a local base of the Basij volunteer militia, which was on fire.

Police clashed with protesters and crowds of people were seen fleeing. Shots were heard and a plume of thick black smoke billowed into the sky where the rally was being staged. Police also fired tear gas as dozens of protesters set several motorbikes ablaze, AFP reported.

Mousavi, who earlier told the rally that he was ready to take part in a new election, last night said on his website that he was not optimistic about his appeal.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was closely following the dispute over the results and called for respect of the "genuine will" of the Iranian voters as Europe led protests over Tehran's crackdown on the opposition.

Germany and France summoned Iran's ambassadors to express concern over the use of baton-wielding police against demonstrators who say the poll was rigged. The United States said Iran must address opposition claims.

A spokesman for the Guardians Council said the body would meet today to discuss the complaint.

Omidian Mohammad, a close Mousavi ally, told Gulf News that the decision of the supreme leader reflects the seriousness of the situation.