Iran's Supreme Leader Calls for Strong Action Against Protesters

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has urged his security forces to take strong action against anti-government protesters.

Khamenei says authorities must carry out their duties against those he calls "corrupt and rioters."  But he says rules must be followed in confronting protesters and that security personnel must avoid taking arbitrary measures.

The supreme leader spoke Saturday to visitors from the holy Shi'ite city of Qom.

His remarks follow some of the worst violence to hit Iran since June when President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won a disputed election.

Late last month, at least eight people were killed in clashes between Iranian security forces and opposition activists. The violence coincided with Shi'ite Islam's Ashura holiday.