Iran lifts ban on candidates

2004-01-30 16:26

Teheran - Iran's interior ministry said on Friday that 980 of the more than 3 500 candidates barred from next month's parliamentary elections have had their bans lifted, Kar news service reported.

The Guardian Council had until Friday to monitor the candidates. The hardline council functions as an upper house of parliament and includes conservative clerics and jurists.

Known reformists, including 83 members of the current parliament, were not on the list of approved candidates by Thursday, prompting reformist MPs to continue their protests.

There has been no reaction yet to Interior Minister Mussavi Lari's demand to postpone the February 20 elections.

In a letter to Guardian Council head Ahmad Jannati on Thursday, the minister said that Iran's 27 governors did not deem the political, legal and security conditions suitable for holding elections.

While President Mohammad Khatami insists on respecting the laws and holding the elections as scheduled, reformist MPs, including his brother Mohammad-Reza Khatami, have warned of mass resignations.

Observers said the current situation was the most serious crisis as the Islamic republic approached its 25th anniversary. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA