Iran Opposition Seeks Rally Backing Egypt Uprising

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's opposition has asked the government for permission to rally in support of uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.

The request could place the government in a bind.

Tehran's rulers crushed protests against a disputed 2009 election and the opposition has not been able to stage rallies in more than a year. However, Iran's leaders have also come out in support of the Egyptian protesters, branding long-term Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak a traitor.

Iran's opposition website Kaleme reported Sunday that opposition figures Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karoubi asked for permission for a Feb. 14 solidarity rally with protesters in Egypt and Tunisia.

Iran's opposition says the 2009 re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was rigged.