Iran's regime overturns seven elections of reformers, sparking riots

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran is undergoing a new wave of unrest in the wake of a decision by authorities to overturn the election to parliament of several reformers aligned with President Mohammed Khatami.

In the first attempt by conservative clerics to reverse the gains of Khatami supporters in February's parliamentary elections, the Council of Guardians has rescinded the victories of seven reformers and declared their opponents -- allies of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei -- as winners. The new parliament assumes office in May.

Khatami reformers, led by the president's brother, Mohammed-Reza, captured 189 of the 226 seats. But decisions by the council have chipped away at the victory and an additional 64 seats will be decided in a second round of elections. Authorities have also arrested a key member of Khatami's coalition.

The council decision sparked riots around Iran. Iranian television on Saturday said protesters ransacked government offices and torched official vehicles in the northwestern city of Khalkhal. The television said 40 people were arrested.

The Iranian opposition Mujahadeen Khalq said more than 5,000 rioters burst into a government complex, occupied the governor's office and destroyed property. The group said dozens of protesters were wounded in clashes with security forces.

A protest in Damavand near Teheran proceeded without incident, the official Islamic Republic News Agency said. The council earlier overturned the election victory of a reformer in the district.

Reformers who have protested the council decisions have been arrested and questioned.

In an unrelated development, Iran and Oman began discussions on military cooperation. The air force commanders of the two countries held talks in Teheran on Saturday.

"We believe that such meetings will be useful in setting up bridges for multilateral understanding and cooperation between the two countries especially between the armed forces of Iran and Oman," Omani air force commander Mohammad Bin Mahfooz Arezi said.

Iranian commanders said they are ready to transfer technology to the Omani air force and help modernize their equipment.