Iran's rulers urged to end infighting, compromise with foes

Despite his warning, Ahmadinejad and Rafsanjani last week snubbed a parliamentary invitation to a high-profile conference dubbed "praise for unity." Their absence, which both men blamed on busy schedules, highlighted the wide rift caused by factional differences.

"Dr. Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani are absent from this meeting," parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani complained during the gathering, the Mehr News Agency reported. "I hope God makes things right."

The next flash point could come Monday, when opposition supporters have called for anti-government demonstrations to mark Iran's annual Students Day, which commemorates the 1953 killing of three university students by security forces of the then-monarchy. Authorities have warned that no such protests will be tolerated.

"The system of the Islamic Republic of Iran will from now on deal mercilessly . . . with any action that causes any disruption in the system," Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, the national prosecutor general, said on state television.

According to several establishment figures, however, many of the political quarrels could be settled if the government moderated its handling of the protests.

"Our revolution and its leaders get their power from the people," said Mohammad Khoshchehreh, an economist and former lawmaker. "We should regain their trust by making rational decisions. Otherwise, our leaders will lose influence."

Aboutaleb, the former lawmaker, said it was up to the government to resolve the impasse. "The election victor should listen to his critics" and recognize protesters, he said, or "we will face a bigger crisis."

Special correspondent Kay Armin Serjoie contributed to this report.