Crisis as Iranian election row deepens

MOST of Iran's Cabinet ministers and vice-presidents have submitted their resignations, accusing hardliners of trying to engineer a sympathetic parliament by disqualifying thousands of prospective election candidates.

As Iran's deepest political crisis in years expanded, Vice-President Mohammad Ali Abtahi warned that, unless the disqualifications are reversed, "the country will face many problems, both at home and abroad".

Government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh said letters of resignation from most of Iran's six vice-presidents and most of its 24 Cabinet ministers were handed to President Mohammad Khatami last week. He did not identify the resigning politicians.