Iranian leader denounces unrest

Thousands attended prayers at Tehran University

By Jim Muir BBC correspondent in Tehran

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has criticised the current wave of demonstrations in the country's universities triggered by the death sentence passed on a liberal university lecturer accused of renouncing his religion, or apostasy.

At a time when people need unity a group is finding excuses to create chaos in the universities

Ayatollah Khamenei

Addressing Friday prayers in Teheran, Ayatollah Khamenei said that such actions were the work of the country's enemies and would get nowhere.

In what was clearly a reference to the student unrest over the death sentence on Hashem Aghajari, Ayatollah Khamenei said that a group of people had seized on a pretext to disrupt the normal work of the universities.

Those who raised slogans accusing the regime of despotism and violation of human rights, he said, were either among the country's enemies, or had been deluded by the enemy - by which he meant the United States.

'Crumb of comfort'

But such actions would get nowhere, the Ayatollah said, pointing to the suppression of the violent street riots of three years ago.

So the leader appeared to be coming down strongly against the largely peaceful gatherings which have been held on several campuses in recent days to protest against the death verdict.

	CONSERVATIVES: Leader: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Power: The real power in Iran. Controls the hard-line Guardians Council, which approves all laws, the judiciary and armed forces Where they stand: Committed to Islamic revolution. Opposed to any reduction in their powers and normalisation of relations with the US REFORMISTS: Leader: President Mohammed Khatami Power: Control the parliament and enjoy widespread popular support Where they stand: Back greater democracy, reducing the power of the Guardians Council, and reform to the legal system Iran: Who holds the power?

The only crumb of comfort he did offer was to say that the enemies of the revolution should not be presented with pretexts.

On Sunday it emerged that he had written to the head of the judiciary, calling for a rapid review of the Aghajari verdict, which has caused a furore in reformist circles and a lot of unease in conservative ones.

But the judiciary chief, Ayatollah Hashemi Shahroudi, has appeared to disregard the leader's intervention, which would normally be regarded as an imperative.

Ayatollah Shahroudi said that the case would follow its normal course, which involved appeals procedures and reviews.

If that's the case, the crisis over the death verdict could well be prolonged, risking an increase in tensions on the ground.

More protests promised

Shortly after the leader spoke at Friday prayers, police and right-wing volunteers broke up a gathering called to commemorate the murder of two liberal intellectuals four years ago.

Many of those who took part were beaten up and others were arrested.

Student leaders have said they intend to keep up their protest meetings over the Aghajari case until he is freed.