Iran's moderate former president Mohammad Khatami has withdrawn his candidacy from a June presidential election, allies said, a move analysts say may boost President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election chances.
"He has decided to withdraw... but he will back another moderate candidate who will be announced shortly in a statement by Khatami," one close ally, who declined to be named, said.
The outcome of the election could influence Iran's approach in its row with the West over its nuclear program, even though Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say on such issues.
Another ally said Mr Khatami pulled out from the race because of his desire to unite the reformist front against Mr Ahmadinejad, a conservative politician who often rails against the West.
"For the sake of the reformist front... and to avoid splitting the vote, Khatami withdrew," said the other ally, who also asked not to be named before the statement was published.
Mr Khatami's aides did not name the politician who Mr Khatami would back, ,but the former president had a meeting with another moderate candidate, former prime minister Mirhossein Mousavi, on Sunday.
Mr Mousavi's office said Mr Khatami backed Mr Mousavi's candidacy and his withdrawal was aimed at "not depriving Mousavi of much-needed votes".
Mr Khatami, who served from 1997 to 2005, oversaw a thaw in Iran's ties with the West. Those relations have since sharply deteriorated under Mr Ahmadinejad, who is expected to seek a second four-year term in the June 12 vote.
"He has decided to withdraw... but he will back another moderate candidate who will be announced shortly in a statement by Khatami," one close ally, who declined to be named, said.
The outcome of the election could influence Iran's approach in its row with the West over its nuclear program, even though Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say on such issues.
Another ally said Mr Khatami pulled out from the race because of his desire to unite the reformist front against Mr Ahmadinejad, a conservative politician who often rails against the West.
"For the sake of the reformist front... and to avoid splitting the vote, Khatami withdrew," said the other ally, who also asked not to be named before the statement was published.
Mr Khatami's aides did not name the politician who Mr Khatami would back, ,but the former president had a meeting with another moderate candidate, former prime minister Mirhossein Mousavi, on Sunday.
Mr Mousavi's office said Mr Khatami backed Mr Mousavi's candidacy and his withdrawal was aimed at "not depriving Mousavi of much-needed votes".
Mr Khatami, who served from 1997 to 2005, oversaw a thaw in Iran's ties with the West. Those relations have since sharply deteriorated under Mr Ahmadinejad, who is expected to seek a second four-year term in the June 12 vote.
Source: ABC Australia Online
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