Mass rallies in Iran in support of government

Tens of thousands of people across Iran have attended preplanned pro-government rallies as officials warned against "illegal gatherings" following days of protests sparked by anger over the country's economy.

State TV aired footage on Saturday showing people in several cities waving flags and carrying banners bearing the image of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The large demonstrations, which are held every year, were organised weeks ago to mark the end of unrest following the country's 2009 election. This year, however, they took on new significance, offering a show of support for Iran's leadership after anti-government protests gripped a number of cities. Triggered by the high cost of living, protesters took to the streets to denounce a surge in the prices of basic foods, the sluggish economy and unemployment. The protests first broke out on Thursday in Masshad, Iran's second-largest city, before reportedly spreading to the capital, Tehran, and other major cities on Friday. Dozens of arrests were also reported. On Saturday, small crowds of protesters rallied for a third day in Tehran, Shahr-e Khord and Kermanshah, according to photos and videos posted on social media. The rallies appeared to take place despite Interior Minister Abdolrahman Rahmani Fazli calling on people earlier in the day not to participate in what he called "illegal gatherings". Semi-state news agency Fars reported confrontations between police and protesters at the Tehran University. Videos posted on Twitter by the New-York based Center for Human Rights in Iran appeared to show police in riot gear clashing with protesters outside the gates to the Tehran University. A second video showed smoke-shrouded streets, purportedly from tear gas, in the same area.