<p> Supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad celebrated on Tuesday after Iran’s highest electoral authority proclaimed the validity of its disputed election, paving the way for the incumbent to begin a second term despite claims of fraud.<br /><br />Pro-Ahmadinejad newspapers announced the Guardian Council’s approval in large type on their front pages. Newspapers backing his main reformist challenger, Mir Hossein Mousavi, mentioned the news in small references.<br /><br />Mousavi has said Ahmadinejad stole re-election through fraud and demanded a new election. Western analysts have described Ahmadinejad’s roughly 2-1 margin of victory as suspicious and improbable.<br /><br />The decision ruling out the possibility of a new vote was expected after the country’s supreme leader endorsed the vote. The government had delayed a formal declaration as Mousavi supporters flooded the streets in protests that were put down through a show of force by riot police.<br /><br />“From today on, the file on the election has been closed,” the Guardian Council said.</p>
<p> Supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad celebrated on Tuesday after Iran’s highest electoral authority proclaimed the validity of its disputed election, paving the way for the incumbent to begin a second term despite claims of fraud.<br /><br />Pro-Ahmadinejad newspapers announced the Guardian Council’s approval in large type on their front pages. Newspapers backing his main reformist challenger, Mir Hossein Mousavi, mentioned the news in small references.<br /><br />Mousavi has said Ahmadinejad stole re-election through fraud and demanded a new election. Western analysts have described Ahmadinejad’s roughly 2-1 margin of victory as suspicious and improbable.<br /><br />The decision ruling out the possibility of a new vote was expected after the country’s supreme leader endorsed the vote. The government had delayed a formal declaration as Mousavi supporters flooded the streets in protests that were put down through a show of force by riot police.<br /><br />“From today on, the file on the election has been closed,” the Guardian Council said.</p>