The Iranian culture minister, Ataollah Mohajerani, who's been accused by conservatives of allowing an erosion of Islamic values, says he has no intention of resigning.

Addressing a news conference in Tehran, he said he was open to criticism of his work but quitting was not in his nature.

His remarks came after theological students demanded he resign during a three-day protest in the holy city of Qom.

The protesters were angry over the publication in a pro-reform newspaper of two cartoons, which they said were insulting to a leading cleric Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service