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Iran's reformers

post big gains

TEHRAN: Iran's reformers posted a big upset in the traditionally conservative provinces, gaining 20 out of 41 seat is the first official results of parliamentary elections released on Saturday.

Of those 20 wins, reformers took at least 10 seats that had been held by conservatives or independents from the right in the outgoing parliament, according to an AFP tally.

Although final results of Friday's polls are not expected for a few days, the reform movement behind President Mohammad Khatami seemed to be headed for a crushing victory over their conservative rivals.

The Mosharekat paper, closely linked to the largest pro-reform party behind Khatami, on Saturday predicted the president would have his long-sought majority in the next legislature.

"Reformers will dominate the next parliament," it said. "The burden of reforming Iran no longer rests on the shoulders of Khatami alone."ÑAFP