Hard-liners take early edge in Iranian parliamentary vote

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Hard-liners allied with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took a small lead in Iran's parliamentary elections, according to partial results early Saturday, but reformists showed strength in some cities where the clerical leadership allowed them to compete. Reformist leaders pushed for Iranians to vote Friday, hoping to prevent a sweep by Ahmadinejad allies after the country's clerics threw many liberal candidates out of the race. Results early Saturday from 32 contests - a fraction of the 290 seats at stake - showed the hard-liners winning 19 seats, reformists eight and moderate conservatives five, according to results compiled from local officials speaking to The Associated Press and reports from the official IRNA and semi-official Fars news agencies.