Iran s VP withdraws from presidential race, backs Rouhani

Tehran May 17 (IANS) Iran s first Vice President and presidential election candidate Eshaq Jahangiri announced on Tuesday to withdraw from the presidential race in order to back incumbent President Hassan Rouhani.

I will use all my power to support Rouhani and to support his programmes Jahanigiri said in a statement according to the official IRNA news agency.

Jahanigiri the reformist hopeful urged all his supporters to vote for Rouhani said the report.

He further expressed hope that Rouhani will win the election by a landslide so he could improve the country s future.

Concerns over democracy freedom economy and the country s progress will enable officials to overcome difficulties he added.

On Monday Tehran s conservative Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf also said that he withdrew from the presidential race to back another conservative candidate Ebrahim Raisi.

On April 21 of the 1 636 registered candidates six qualified including three principalists better known as conservatives as well as two centrists and one reformist to compete for the four-year presidential term.

Raisi is Rouhani s sole major conservative rival who hopes not to lose his current sovereignty.

Over 56 million Iranians are eligible electorates for the May 19 election.

--IANS
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