Iran drops pretensions of moderation

BBC:

The ultra-conservative mayor of Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has won Iran's presidential election run-off, the interior ministry has confirmed.

With the count almost complete Mr Ahmadinejad had won 61% of votes, ahead of the more moderate ex-President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on 35%.

Some 22m people voted, a turnout of 47%, down from 63% in the first round.

Mr Ahmadinejad surprised observers by beating five other candidates in the first round to reach the run-off.

"Surprised" is BBC code for other candidates had more votes but the Ayatollahs "fixed" the count to get him in the runoff.