G8 to deplore Iran post-election violence-diplomat

TRIESTE, Italy, June 25 (Reuters) - The Group of Eight powers are set to deplore post-election violence in Iran and call on Tehran to settle a crisis over the disputed vote peacefully and through democratic dialogue, a European diplomat said on Thursday.

A statement by G8 foreign ministers, to be published on Friday, will "deplore the post-election violence" and "urge Iran to respect fundamental rights, including freedom of expression", according to the diplomat who had seen a draft.

The statement will include a message that "the crisis should be settled through democratic dialogue and peaceful means," the diplomat told Reuters. (Reporting by Adrian Croft; Editing by Phil Stewart)