MPs Press Ahmadinejad to End Petrol Rationing

[democratic]

Source: Guardian

The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was under pressure to perform a U-turn on petrol rationing today after the restriction prompted violent protests at filling stations across the country this week.

MPs said they would press the government to alter or even scrap the scheme after angry protesters set fire to at least a dozen petrol stations in Tehran and chanted slogans against President Ahmadinejad following Tuesday night's sudden introduction of quotas.

In a sign of official nervousness that the disturbances might spread, the government temporarily closed the country's mobile phone text-messaging network after the widespread circulation of an SMS urging protesters to gather in Tehran's landmark Valiasr Square.

The unrest was triggered by the unexpected announcement on state television that rationing would begin at midnight, prompting a mass rush to petrol stations by drivers trying to fill their tanks before the quotas became effective. Motorists are restricted to a monthly limit of 100 litres for the next four months. Cab drivers are limited to 800 litres.


Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2114228,00.html

[Eugene]

1. Iran leader backs "brave" gasoline rationing move

Source: Reuters

Iran leader backs "brave" gasoline rationing move

32 minutes ago

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's supreme leader on Saturday threw his
weight behind a gasoline rationing scheme which sparked angry
protests and left more than a dozen petrol stations burnt out
in the world's fourth largest oil exporter.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's highest authority
under its system of clerical rule, hailed the government's "bravery"
in a speech to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and senior
officials, state television reported.

-snip-

But Khamenei, who has also previously defended the government
against criticism on some issues, made clear he backed the move.

"The issue of gasoline is one of these actions which the government
bravely made a decision about," he was quoted as saying. "And of
course, by studying all of its aspects, (the implementation of)
this decision should continue."

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070630/wl_nm/iran_gasoline_rationing_dc