Iran president defends petrol rationing after protests

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2007

TEHRAN (AFP) — President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defended Friday his government's decision to ration petrol in oil-rich Iran after the move sparked violent protests.

"Petrol rationing is great task, although it is a complex task," the president was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.

"This issue needs national will and we all have to be watchful in order for the people not to be pressured."

Petrol rationing took effect on Wednesday, only hours after it was announced by state media on Tuesday evening.

A dozen petrol stations were set ablaze by angry motorists who queued for hours in a vain bid to fill their tanks before the new quotas came into force.

Motorists are now allowed a maximum of 400 litres of petrol in a four-month period if their...