By Louise Ireland)

Iran was wrong to blame foreign countries for playing a part in the violent protests over its disputed presidential election, Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Sunday.

"I reject categorically the idea that the protesters in Iran are manipulated or motivated by foreign countries," he said in a statement. "The UK is categorical that it is for the Iranian people to choose their government."

Earlier, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on the United States and Britain to stop interfering in the Islamic Republic's internal affairs, the ISNA news agency said.