ISFAHAN People of Najafabad, in the central Iranian Province of Isfahan, after a march on Friday, renewed their allegiance to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, an informed source said. The march came after Friday congregational prayers at Bagh-e Melli (national park) Square of the city, he said. The source further added that the demonstrators carried placards bearing remarks of the Leader addressed to the people of Isfahan and Najafabad. The demonstrators called for confrontation with agents behind the recent incidents in the city.

The Leader in a message broadcast on Thursday called on people of Isfahan and Najafabad to neutralize attempts planned to disturb Friday prayers. Meanwhile, Leader's representative and Friday prayer leader of Isfahan Ayatollah Jalaleddin Taheri in a statement Thursday urged people of Isfahan to refrain from any move which will cause tension in this week's Friday prayer. Underlining the country's need for tranquility, Ayatollah Taheri called on worshipers to avoid holding any gathering or chanting any slogan, with the exception of Friday prayer congregation.

There were rumors that some groups from a number of provincial cities were to attend Isfahan Friday prayer to stage a protest rally. In another development, secretary of the Council of Guardians Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati in a message on Friday night thanked the Leader for his inspiring message to the people of Isfahan and Najafabad. Ayatollah Jannati said the Leader's message extinguished flames of sedition of enemies of the Islamic Revolution forever and maintained security in the province, once again demonstrating the competence of Valiy-e Faqih (supreme jurisprudence) in the settlement of social issues.

He also thanked the noble people of Isfahan and Najafabad for answering the call of the Leader in their massive rally on Friday. (IRNA)