Iran 'to hold election recount'

Tehran, 16 June-(ANA)-Iran's powerful Guardian Council says it is ready to recount disputed votes from Friday's presidential poll.

Moderate candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi has contested President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election, alleging widespread fraud.

Correspondents say the council's announcement is a complete U-turn. The official results sparked three days of huge protests.

Iranian radio says seven people were killed during demonstrations on Monday.

The Guardian Council said the votes would be recounted in areas contested by the losing candidates.

Our correspondent says this could effectively allow the defeated candidates to challenge all the votes. (ANA)

FA/ANA/16 June 2009---