United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has called on the Iranian authorities to halt the use of  violence against civilians with immediate effect. He urged Iran's leaders to respect civil rights in dealing with the protests against the result of the presidential elections, especially the "freedom of assembly and expression".

Mr Ban also appealed to the Iranian government to resolve its difference with the opposition peacefully through dialogue and legitimate legal channels. It's the second statement that Mr Ban has issued since the election result - in the first, he asked Iranian leaders to respect the will of the people.

Mr Ban's appeal comes a day after a day of unrest in Iran. On Monday, opposition supporters again took to the streets of the capital Tehran despite threats by the Revolutionary Guard to crack down on protesters. Some 1,000 protesters were forcibly dispersed by riot police using tear gas and firing into the air. Eyewitnesses say between 50 and 60 people were arrested. It is not clear if anyone was killed.

Supporters of the defeated presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi took to the rooftops counting anti-government slogans. A similar tactic was used in the 1979 Islamic revolution. Mr Mousavi claims the election was rigged and is challenging President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's electoral victory claim. He called on his supporters to continue their protests against "lies and fraud."

Italy has announced that it will open its Tehran embassy for anyone injured in the demonstrations. Great Britain says it will withdraw the family members of embassy staff in Iran due to the ongoing violence. The Iranian government has placed reporting restrictions on Western media and there is no independent confirmation of the number of people arrested, injured or killed.
 

Tehran Protest by misterarasmus