Clashes in Iranian capital

Islamic militants opposed to the Iranian president, Mohammed Khatami, have attacked students at a pro-democracy rally in the capital, Tehran.

A number of people were injured.

The rally had been authorised by the Interior Minister Abdollah Nuri a moderate cleric who advocates freedom of speech, but soon after it began, the militants attacked them with sticks, stones and chains.

It took police firing tear gas more than an hour to restore order.

A vigilante group, Ansar Hisbollah, which has used violence in the past against those opposed to strict Islamic rule, issued a statement denying any involvement.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service