Iran accuses UN chief Ban Ki-moon of meddling

          Iran accused United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday of interfering in its state matters after he urged an immediate halt to the use of force against civilians, the ISNA news agency reported. "Mr. Ban Ki-moon, under the influence of some powers, is ignoring the realities of Iran's election and his remarks are clearly contradicting his duties ... and are a clear interference in Iran's state matters," the news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi as saying. The remarks came after Ban on Monday urged Iran to immediately cease its use of force against civilians and urged authorities to respect civil rights in dealing with protests over the contested results of the June 12presidential election. (22,36)