Iran former President criticizes presidential elections

Tens of thousands of government opponents have packed Iran's main Islamic Friday prayer service at Tehran university. The former President, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, delivered a sermon criticizing the country's leadership over the disputed presidential elections.

In his sermon broadcast live nationwide, the former president said many Iranians had doubts about the official result of the June 12 vote.

He said the government should regain the people's confidence, and solve problems according to law as soon as possible.

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Iranian former President, said, "The Guardians Council did not properly use the five-day period given to it by the Supreme Leader. He told them to consult with the wise and trusted ones and investigate (the election) to ensure the people's confidence. I do not want to say now whose fault that was but anyway, they did not use it well."

The sermon was seen as a direct challenge to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He had declared President Ahmadinejad's victory valid and ordered an end to questioning of the results.

Rafsanjani couched his sermon in calls for national unity, saying all parties related should calm down and show tolerance.

He called on the government to release those arrested in the protests.

The opposition turned the Friday prayers at Tehran University into a show of their continued strength.

Demonstrations were also staged in other parts of the city.