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Page last updated at 22:09 GMT, Thursday, 13 August 2009 23:09 UK

Revealing Iran's volunteer force

In the aftermath of Iran's disputed election, security forces trying to clear the streets of protesters were a familiar sight.

The Basij militia is an Iranian volunteer force of Islamic government loyalists which is often called out onto the streets at times of crisis to dispel dissent.

With rare footage of the Basij being trained, Jon Leyne reports on this idealistic but controversial volunteer force.

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