KHATAMI WITHDRAWS FROM IRAN PRESIDENTIAL RACE
PanARMENIAN.Net
16.03.2009 14:19 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The decision is seen as a move to secure support from
the electorate for Mir Hossein Mousavi, another reformist candidate
who is running for the presidency.
Iran’s reformist ex-president Mohammad Khatami has withdrawn from the
June presidential election, a close aide of the charismatic cleric
said Monday.
"He has taken a decision to withdraw. We will officially announce
it tonight or tomorrow in a statement," the aide said, asking not to
be named.
The decision is seen as a move to secure support from the electorate
for Mir Hossein Mousavi, another reformist candidate who is running
for the presidency.
Mehr news agency on Sunday reported that Khatami had during a recent
meeting with his campaign officials indicated his plan to withdraw
from the vote, citing attempts to dilute support for reformists.
"Opponents want to divide my supporters and supporters of Mousavi,"
Khatami was quoted as saying.
"It is not in our interest. Also some conservatives are
supporting Mousavi. He (Mousavi) thinks that we have to change the
situation. Mousavi is popular and will be able to execute his plans
and I prefer he stays in the race."
Former Iranian parliament speaker Mehdi Karroubi is also planning
to run in the June 12 election while incumbent hardline President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is yet to officially announce his candidacy.
Khatami, 65, was president of Iran between 1997 and 2005.
In his previous presidential term, Khatami inspired the Iranian
youth with promises of social and political reforms while Iran’s
relations with the West were less confrontational than they are now
under Ahmadinejad, AFP reports.