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TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Hundreds of demonstrators angry over recent presidential election results gathered in a public square Monday in Iran's capital city, despite a stern warning by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.


Riot police and Basij militia dispersed large crowds from congregating in Haft-e Tir and arrested at least eight people, eyewitnesses said.

This comes as the guard warned that it would meet protesters who "disturb the peace and stand up to security forces" with a strong response.

Internet postings on Twitter, Facebook, and an Iranian opposition leader's Web site mentioned a 4 p.m. (7:30 a.m. ET) vigil for Neda -- the young female protester who became a rallying cry and a symbol for the opposition after her death was caught on camera.

It is unclear, however, if the people were at the square for a vigil. Signs and banners about Neda and candles have not been seen.

The Basij, a volunteer paramilitary force that takes orders from the Revolutionary Guard, cleared a pedestrian overpass near the square as two choppers were seen hovering overhead. Most stores around the square were closed with some guarding against damage by erecting steel fences on their windows.

In one incident, a Basiji told a woman who wanted to sit in the park that she had to leave because of security concerns.

"What is the security issue with just sitting in the park?" she asked. And the Basiji pushed her way from the area. Watch how women are on front line of protests »

In a statement according to Iran's state-run news agency, the Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran's Revolutionary Guard said "the guardians of the Islamic revolution and the courageous Basiji together with the security forces following the orders of the supreme leader and following him unquestioningly, are determined to act strongly to return peace and tranquility to society ... and to clean the country of these plotters and hooligans."

At least 19 people were killed in clashes in Tehran on Saturday as Iranians took to the streets to protest the results of the June 12 presidential election, according to hospital sources.

Iranian-funded Press TV confirmed 13 fatalities, while unconfirmed reports put the number as high as 150. Tehran's prosecutor general's office said it has launched an investigation into the killings.

The station also said police arrested 457 people Saturday who vandalized property. See images of the clashes Saturday »

A statement purportedly from opposition leader Mir Hossein Moussavi on Sunday called on Iranians to "exercise self control" during protests in Tehran while still supporting their right to demonstrate against the government and the results of the election.

"The country belongs to you. The revolution and the system is your heritage," said the statement attributed to Moussavi posted on his Web site. "Protesting against lies and cheating is your right. Be hopeful about regaining your rights. Do not allow anyone who tries to make you lose hope and frighten you make you lose your temper."

The authenticity of the message could not be verified; it was posted in Farsi and translated by CNN.

Thousands of riot police and militia lined Tehran's streets Sunday. Amateur video showed large crowds marching down a major Tehran thoroughfare shouting, "Don't be afraid, we're together" and "Death to dictator." The person who shot the video said it was taken Sunday, but CNN could not immediately verify that the protest had taken place.

Police have not been given permission to use firearms in confronting protesters, Tehran Police Chief Azizollah Rajabpour told Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency. Police have not used firearms on the public, he said. Allegations to the contrary are false and "spread by those who want to muddy the waters," the agency reported.

News coverage in Iran has been limited by government restrictions on international journalists. On Sunday, the BBC said Iran had expelled Jon Leyne, the British network's permanent correspondent in Tehran. And Al-Arabiya, a Dubai-based Arab satellite network, said its Tehran bureau was ordered closed. iReport.com: Share images from Iran

Videos posted on social networking Web sites depicted tense scenes and chaos Saturday, and one graphic video that captured the death of a young woman became the iconic symbol of a brutal day. But like most of the information coming out of Tehran, it is impossible to verify her name -- Neda -- or the circumstances of her apparent death.

Iran's Guardian Council declared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner of election with 62.63 percent of the vote. Moussavi, his closest rival, received 33.75 percent, surprising many experts who expected him to win.

A spokesman for the Guardian Council told state television that Wednesday is the last day it can recount the votes disputed by candidates.

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