Khatami campaign ban 'overturned'

A court ruling in Iran, which would have debarred President Mohammad Khatami from holding a re-election rally on Monday, is reported to have been reversed.

A spokesman for the president said that after lengthy negotiations, officials of the Justice Department had agreed to lift the ban.

It was imposed on the grounds that election candidates are not allowed to use state-owned property for campaigning.

Up to 30,000 people are expected to attend the President's rally which is taking place at a stadium Shiroudi in the capital, Tehran.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service