Iran's highest legislative body said yesterday it was ready to recount a 10th of the votes in a disputed presidential election as riot police were deployed in force to foil another planned protest rally in Tehran.

Witnesses said police and pro-government militia seriously beat between 50 and 60 protesters. Some appeared to be fighting back, setting fire to militia members' motorcycles near Freedom Square. Fierce clashes took place near Revolution Square, after some 3,000 protesters, may wearing black, chanted "Death to the dictator" and "Death to dictatorship". Tehran University was also cordoned off by police.

Election runner-up Mirhossein Mousavi has demanded the election be annulled and held again.

His supporters showed up anyway, as they did in their tens of thousands last Tuesday even though Mousavi had told them to stay home.