“Access to the Facebook site was prohibited several days ahead of the presidential election,” Ilna, considered close to Iranian reformists, said in reference to the June 12 vote.<\/p>\n
“According to certain Internet surfers, the site was banned because supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi were using Facebook to better disseminate the candidate’s positions.”<\/p>\n
An employee of an Internet service provider who requested anonymity said the ministry of communications and information technology had announced the decision.<\/p>\n
However, there was no immediate comment from the authorities on the claims.<\/p>\n
Former prime minister Mousavi is backed by two-time ex-reformist president Mohammad Khatami and the main reformist parties. He is considered to be the main rival to incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is seeking a second four-year term.<\/p>\n
A Facebook page dedicated to Mousavi’s campaign has 5,215 supporters and can be found at It contains biographical information on the candidate and a statement on his proposed policies, as well as photographs both of him and of his fans.<\/p>\n As is the case with any such Facebook page, there are also comments posted by fans.<\/p>\n Ahmadinejad also has a page, which had 1,700 supporters when visited by an AFP correspondent.<\/p>\n Founded in 2004 by former Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook claims to have 175 million members worldwide. In Iran, the service is normally available in Farsi and in English.<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Mir-Hossein-Mousavi-\/45061919453<\/a> .<\/p>\n