Iran's Mousavi defiant after MPs back Ahmadinejad

By Fredrik Dahl

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi called on Saturday for more protests over Iran's disputed June election, two days after lawmakers backed most of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's new government ministers.

But a religious ceremony next week which could have become a rallying point for the moderates was cancelled after authorities put pressure on its hosts, Iranian media said.

Nevertheless, Mousavi remained defiant over the poll he says was rigged in favour of Ahmadinejad and urged his supporters to create a wide opposition network using meetings such as family and union gatherings, as well as sporting and cultural events.

"In order to achieve our cause, I do not recommend anything but the pursuit of the green path of hope which you have followed in the past few months ... through small and large gatherings," he said in a statement on a reformist website.

Green was the colour of Mousavi's campaign and the huge protests which followed the election.

"It is up to your friends to not betray the confidence ... created in the struggle against the cheaters and the liars," he said, repeating charges of "organised violations and fraud".

Iran's volunteer Islamic militia, the Basij and elite Revolutionary Guards forces put down the protests.

A reformist website published the names of 72 people it said had been killed in the street unrest.