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Iranians mark Islamic revolution

Iran has begun 10 days of celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution that overthrew the US-backed former ruler, the Shah.

Speaking in the capital, Tehran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the revolution was "lively and alive".

Despite the almost ritualistic chants of "Death to America!" and "Death to Israel!", on Saturday there was no longer the fervour of those early days of the revolution, our correspondent says.

Nowadays, Iranian governments get judged on much more mundane issues like the state of the economy or the ever worsening Tehran traffic, he says.

He adds that Iranians are also receptive to US President Barack Obama's invitation to heal relations with Washington.

Read entire article at BBC