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Reporting from Beirut - A high-ranking conservative cleric called for the arrest of the nation's opposition leaders today while a counterpart demanded the release of political prisoners as the nation's political and religious establishment showed no signs of reconciliation following the disputed June 12 reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In addition, many lawmakers and clergy from Ahmadinejad's own conservative political camp fumed over his proposed Cabinet, including his decision to nominate three female ministers. And an Argentine prosecutor confirmed that the president's proposed defense minister, Ahmad Vahidi, is wanted by Interpol on terrorism charges.

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, head of the powerful, ultraconservative Guardian Council, said the "leaders" behind recent weeks of unrest should be put on trial, the latest in a series of calls by hard-liners to arrest opposition figures such as Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who have challenged Ahmadinejad's presidency.

"During the recent riots, the entire nation was oppressed because the nation's Basiji and Hezbollah children's blood was spilled," he said, reiterating still unproven claims that some armed militiamen who attacked and beat demonstrators during recent protests also died in the unrest. "Why haven't the leaders of riots and those whom everyone knows touched off the plots been arrested?"

Ahmadinejad and hard-line allies in the Revolutio... >>>