IRANIAN PRESIDENT GOING TO RESIGN

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and the government are ready to resign, Iranian Vice-President Ali Abtahi stated yesterday, Reuters reported. According to the source, several ministers have already submitted respective statements. In A. Abtahi’s words, the refusal of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps to register candidates from democratic parties for participation in the parliamentary election February 20 became the reason for that. About half of the 8200 contenders were left out, including 80 out of the 290 deputies of the current convocation. The religious leader of Iran Ayatollah Khamenei called the Guards Corps to reconsider the decision passed. However, the Corps representatives responded with a denial. Khatami himself does not confirm reports on his coming resignation.