Iran accuses U.N.’s Ban of interference: report

Reuters: Iran accused U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday of interfering in its state affairs in his comments about the Islamic Republic's disputed June 12 election, the ISNA news agency reported.

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran accused U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday of interfering in its state affairs in his comments about the Islamic Republic's disputed June 12 election, the ISNA news agency reported.

On Monday, Ban urged an immediate stop to use of force against civilians in Iran and urged authorities to respect civil rights in dealing with protests over presidential election results.

"Mr Ban Ki-moon, under the influence of some powers, is ignoring the realities of Iran's election and his remarks are clearly contradicting his duties … and are a clear interference in Iran's state matters," it quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi as saying.

Iran has stepped up allegations of foreign interference in its internal affairs over the last few days.

Demonstrators have been gathering almost daily in Tehran since authorities said incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had easily defeated challenger Mirhossein Mousavi in the vote.

Mousavi says the vote was rigged, a charge denied by the authorities.

Iranian state television said 10 people were killed in clashes on Saturday and the hardline Revolutionary Guards vowed on Monday to crush resistance by "rioters."

(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi; writing by Fredrik Dahl; editing by Samia Nakhoul)