Ahmadinejad to hold victory rally amid protests

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad prepared to hold a victory rally Sunday, a day after he was declared the winner of the country’s presidential election, spurring violent street protests from opposition supporters who claimed ballot fraud. Thousands of demonstrators, shouting “Death to the dictatorship” and “We want freedom,” burned police motorcycles, tossed rocks through store windows and set trash cans on fire on Saturday. Riot police charged back, spraying demonstrators with tear gas and clubbing many with batons

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Ahmadinejad denies calling for Facebook ban

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday he did not call for a ban on Facebook during the country’s presidential election. “I should make an inquiry and ask about this,” he said when asked about reports that his government blocked access to the online social networking site. He added, “I believe in maximum freedom of expression.” The hardline Iranian president made the comment in response to a question from CNN at a news conference

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