Iranians hold mass rally in support of gov't

Tens of thousands of Iranian government supporters, have turned out for rallies across the country in a show of strength against the opposition movement. Talking on State TV, Iranian President Mahmouod Ahmadinejad, has blamed the West for supporting opposition protesters.

Rallies have been held in the cities of Shiraz, Arak, Qom, the capital Tehran and several other locations.

Government supporters expressed anger that some opposition protesters insulted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Criticism from government supporters has become increasingly vocal, with some activists threatening to take the law into their own hands.

The arrest of opposition demonstrators, along with tough criticism of the US and Britain, added to rising tensions with the West.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday made his first public comments.

Tens of thousands of Iranian government supporters, have turned out for rallies across the country in a show of strength against the opposition movement.(CCTV.com)