Iranian Students demand the arrest of Islamic radicals

One of the main student groups in Iran has appealed to President Khatami to order the arrest of radicals who attacked a pro-democracy rally in Teheran on Monday.

The group, the Islamic Students' Association, said if the government could not protect legal gatherings, it was not defending the rule of law.

The radicals assaulted the demonstrators with sticks, stones and chains, during an authorised rally in Laleh park on Monday.

It's widely believed that the attackers were linked to a vigilante group, the Supporters of the Party of God (Ansar-e Hezbullah) which has denied having anything to do with the violence.

The Interior Ministry has expressed its regret over the incident.

In a statement, it said it hoped the relevant authorities would hold a thorough investigation.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service