Iranian reformers accused their hardline foes of threatening the country's future and dozens of MPs continued a protest sit-in today after thousands of liberals were barred from standing in elections next month.
The party of reformist President Mohammad Khatami charged that the ban by the conservative Guardian Council, a constitutional watchdog, laid Iran open to foreign accusations of tyranny.
European Union foreign policy chief Mr Javier Solana, visiting Tehran, also criticised the move, saying it would be difficult to explain within the EU.
Iran's reformists are fighting for their political survival after the unelected 12-member Council blocked thousands of Mr Khatami's allies from running in the February 20th parliamentary polls.
"[The conservatives] are paving the way for enemies who want to show the Islamic Republic is a despotic state," said a statement from Mr Khatami's League of Combatant Clerics, carried by the official IRNA news agency.
"Those who claim to be defending the Islamic system but ignore the vital role of the people . . . are threatening the Islamic Republic of Iran."
At the parliament building in central Tehran, MPs continued a sit-in, having spent the night on carpets in an ante-room. Senior MPs and provincial governors have threatened to resign if the Council does not reverse its mass disqualifications.
About 100 MPs were believed to be involved in the protest. One, Mr Reza Yousefian, said the number had been swelled by MPs who had themselves been approved.
Mr Solana told a news conference Iran was facing international scrutiny after only about half of the 8,200 aspiring candidates were approved to run. Those disqualified include 80 members of the 290-seat parliament, currently dominated by reformists.