Iranians hold pro-govt rallies

TEHRAN: Tens of thousands of government supporters turned out for state-sponsored rallies Wednesday, some of them calling for the execution of opposition leaders as Iran’s police chief threatened to show “no mercy” in crushing any new protests by the pro-reform movement.

Pro-government rallies were staged in Shiraz, Arak, Qom, Tehran among other cities.

Demonstrators at a rally in Tehran chanted “Death to Mousavi,” a reference to opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Some shouted “Rioter hypocrites must be executed” and held up a banner that read: “We sacrifice our blood for supreme leader.”

The government gave all civil servants and employees a day off to attend the rallies. State news agency IRNA said on Wednesday Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, have fled Tehran, while a website said they were in custody for their own protection.