Source: Radio Zamaneh

Mehdi Karroubi, Iranian opposition leader warned Islamic Republic authorities against "violent confrontation" with people especially students. In an interview published on Tagheer website, Mr. Karroubi describes university students as the "thermometer" of society and urged the establishment to heed the legal demands of the people.

People cheering for Mehdi Karrobi

The disputing candidate of the June presidential elections advised the armed forces as well as the Basij to "refrain from getting entangled with the people, the students and the valuable forces of the society and get caught up in undesirable movements."

The violent attacks against university students which started yesterday have spilled over to their second day today as reports tell of Basij forces attacking students in the campuses.

Mehdi Karroubi once more emphasized that the political disputes within the country are "grave" and there is a "serious solution" for them.

Karroubi also criticized Ahmadinejad's remarks in Esfahan where he is reported to have said they have found proof that Americans are trying to block the return of the Hidden Imam of Shiites.

The Twelfth and the Hidden Imam is regarded as the ultimate saviour by Shiites and expected to reappear bringing with him the Day of Judgment.

Karroubi maintained that these remarks have tainted the "reputation of the system and the clergy" and declared that the world should not regard Ahmadinejad as the representative of the totality of the Iranian nation; "he is merely the head of the government."

... Payvand News - 12/09/09 ... --