Defeated presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi says his issue is not with the Guardian Council and his objection is to the conduct of the Interior Ministry.

The head of the National Confidence Party and two-time parliament speaker held the Iranian executive body and the Interior Ministry accountable for the recent tensions in the country and said the Guardian Council is not at fault.

He went on to say that he would continue his work within the framework of the Islamic establishment, adding, "Our right has been violated and we will legally pursue the matter. We will act according to the late Imam's principle that 'the nation's vote is the decisive factor' as we also believe in this."

He explained that he had experienced many difficulties and had repeatedly become the target of unfounded accusations. "This must not intimidate us and we must continue within the framework of the Islamic establishment," he said.

The veteran Reformist figure suggested that the country allow two simultaneous gatherings, one for the supporters of election winner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and one for the defeated candidates, to see which gathering would draw more people.

"The sweetness of the nation's massive turnout in the elections was turned bitter and this has enraged the people, resulting in the self-initiated rallies in protest to the electoral process and its outcome."

"People were not chanting slogans against the establishment, they shouted Allah Akbar (God is great) wanting their right to be asserted and to know what happened to their vote."

Following the victory of President Ahmadinejad on June 12, Iran has become the scene of rallies with defeated presidential hopefuls Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi rejecting the result as fraudulent and demanding a re-run.

The three defeated candidates have sent complaints to the Guardian Council -- the body tasked with overseeing the election process. Mohsen Rezaei, however, has reportedly withdrawn his complaint.

AR/HGH/AA