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Iran's top authority told politicians on Friday to stop squabbling that was undermining the government, in a fresh sign of support for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his cabinet before the 2009 election.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tends to stay above the fray of day-to-day politics. But this was the second time in less than a month he had made a speech backing Ahmadinejad and his government, under threat of more U.N. sanctions as the United States and its Western allies seek to isolate Iran over its disputed nuclear plans.

Addressing worshippers in a Friday prayers sermon, Khamenei did not mention the president by name but warned against destructive and unfair criticism of Ahmadinejad's government.

Public divisions in Iran could be used by those "who oppose the system of the Islamic Republic," he said in the sermon, which was broadcast by state media.

"If anybody has plans for the future ... they should say it. If they have solutions to existing problems, such as the problem of high prices and inflation, they should say it. Ruining officials and the government is not in (Iran's) interest."

Khamenei, who has the final say on all matters of state, has previously praised Ahmadinejad in particular for his handling of the nuclear issue. The president on Thursday repeated his vow that Iran would press ahead with its uranium enrichment program, brushing aside the threat of more sanctions.

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