Azerbaijan Baku, May 16 / Trend T. Jafarov /
Iran's ex-president and leader of the reformist opposition Mohammad Khatami urged everyone to give support to former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's candidacy in the upcoming elections and vote for him, Trend reported with reference to Khatami's website khatami.ir.
During his meeting with members of the National Youth Reformist Staff, Khatami said that Hashemi Rafsanjani is one of the most suitable people for the presidency. His new programme and opinions can play an important and decisive role in solving the country's problems.
Rafsanjani was Iranian president from 1989 to 1997. In 2005, he also took part in the presidential elections, but lost to incumbent Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He currently serves as chairman of the Expediency Council.
Khatami also said that Hashemi Rafsanjani's candidacy must be taken as a courageous act on his part.
The official registration of presidential candidates was held from May 7-11. In total some 680 candidates will take part in the presidential elections. Some 36 of them are politicians or public figures.
The elections of the 11th Iranian President will be held on June 14, 2013.