Iran Party Delays Presidential Campaign

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s National Confidence Party will postpone setting up election headquarters after calls by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

“If it were not for the Leader’s views on this matter we may have formed our election headquarters,” said Ismail Dousti, a member of the party’s central council.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said last Wednesday that the early launch of campaigns for the 2009 presidential elections is not in the best interest of the nation.

“Some candidates have launched their campaigns hastily, distracting the nation’s attention from the country’s main issues. Such campaigns run counter to the country’s interests,” Ayatollah Khamenei said according to press tv.

The National Confidence Party was the first to announce its candidate for the June 2009 presidential elections.

Two-time former Parliament speaker Mehdi Karroubi, who was defeated by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 2005 elections, will be representing the party in the upcoming presidential race.

Dousti said the party had delayed the launch of its campaign because it acknowledges that rushing into an election face-off can have harmful effects.

“The Leader is right to be concerned… Ayatollah Khamenei is worried about unfair attacks that may be launched against prominent figures,” he said.

According to Dousti, critics of the current administration’s performance must be fair and should also take into consideration the positive aspects of the government.