Berlin  - The German government demanded on Wednesday that Iran release demonstrators arrested during protests following the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"We are very concerned about the extent of the violent clashes," said government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm, calling for Iran to respect the right to "peaceful demonstrations" and allow the media to report freely.

Germany also welcomed the decision by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to review the election results.

"We assume that it came to irregularities during the election," Wilhelm said, adding that Germany hoped that clear election results would emerge.

Developments in Iran were also due to be discussed at this week's European Union (EU) summit in Bruxelles, the government spokesman said.

Iran has summoned the German ambassador, along with a string of international diplomats, to protest what Iran considers to be "hostile" international reactions to the election outcome, Iranian media reported Wednesday.

The Iranian authorities reportedly called upon western governments to respect the poll results, and not to meddle in Iran's internal affairs.(dpa)