Ahmadinejad Endorsed By Supreme Leader, Protests Ensue

Hundreds of Iranians took to the streets here Monday night, hours after the country’s supreme leader endorsed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for a second term in office.

Eyewitnesses and sources in the capital city said the crowds marched on the sidewalks around Vannak Square and Vali Asr Avenue, under the watchful eye of hundreds of Iranian security forces. Some chanted “Death to the dictator,” while others said “God is great.”

"I am endorsing the presidency of this brave, hard-working and wise man as the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, in praise of Ahmadinejad who will be sworn in by parliament Wednesday.

Iran's Press TV reported that attendees of the ceremony included heads of the three branches of the government, a representative from Iran's Guardian Council, the top legislative body, and a number of members of Parliament and foreign ambassadors.

State media reported that former presidents Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami as well as defeated pro-reform candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi did not attend.

The Supreme Leader endorsed the June 12 election result and demanded an end to the protests at which more than 20 people have been killed, but in a challenge to his authority Mousavi and Karoubi said the next government would be illegitimate.