TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Sunday strongly criticized 'interfering remarks' by foreign countries about June 12 presidential election in Iran.

 

Speaking in a meeting with the foreign countries' diplomatic corps in Tehran, Mottaki blamed Britain for interfering in Iran's presidential election, saying that London had "targeted elections" in Iran for more than a year.

"We witnessed an influx of people from the UK ahead of the election," he said, without offering specifics. Mottaki accused Britain of supporting followers of the Baha'i faith, a religion originated by Britain in the 19th-century Persia but which Iran does not recognize.

Mottaki also criticized France and Germany's stance on Iran's recent developments.
Meantime, the Iranian foreign minister disputed allegations of ballot irregularities in the presidential election, calling the possibility almost nonexistent.

Mottaki noted that results of an investigation into claims of fraud in the election would be announced by the weekend, and added, "The possibility of organized and comprehensive disruption and irregularities in this election is almost close to zero given the composition of the people who hold the election."

He also reiterated that the West expected a different model of democracy from developing countries. "Our understanding of election rules is that one who secures the majority of the votes wins," Mottaki said. "Does democracy assume a new definition regarding the developing countries?"

Source: FNA