BBC News Online: World: Middle East

Student clashes hit Iran

Trouble erupted after right-wing militants prevented two prominent liberals from addressing a student gathering at the end of last week.

Police called off the gathering which had been convened by the Unity Consolidation Bureau, allied to the moderate President, Mohammad Khatami.

Angry students clashed with riot police, throwing stones, smashing the windows of banks and government buildings and setting fire to car tires.

Sharp rift

Correspondents say the unrest in Khorramabad, which is nearly 400km from the capital Tehran, was the worst such incident in months and highlights problems facing President Khatami.

The largest pro-Khatami party, the Islamic Iran Participation Front has appealed for calm but acused the militant vigilante group of inciting unrest in order to dampen hopes of reform.

Events in Khorramabad were a clear reflection of rising national political tensions and divisions.

There was a sharp rift among the local authorities over the students clashes, with the leader of the Friday prayers who also represents the country's supreme leader siding firmly with the hardliners.

But the provincial governor and other local officials condemned the right-wing militants.