Tehran, Sept 27, IRNA -- President Seyed Mohammad Khatami said here on Friday the hue and cry by some political camps, groups or figures in the country about a bill he has presented to the parliament was "unfair" while calling for further efforts to properly implement the constitution.

Speaking in a meeting with Majlis Presiding Board members, President Khatami said some individuals or camps have contributed to the hue and cry over a bill set forth in the parliament to increase the presidential powers.

He called on the Second Khordad Fraction to insist the realization of the public demands.

The president said the main obligation of the president in Iran is to promote and defend the national interest of the country.

He said he has strongly defended Islamic values and principles over the years of serving as president and criticized those who raise their voices against a key motion to empower the president in dealing with the state affairs.

Government spokesman Abdullah Ramezanzadeh in a press briefing said the bill to bolster President Mohammad Khatami's executive authority is in accordance with the Constitution and does not lend to any interpretation.

Khatami's long-awaited bill to bolster his executive authority was presented to the parliament by Vice-President for legal and parliamentary affairs Mohammad-Ali Abtahi on Tuesday.

The bill redefines presidential prerogatives by highlighting president's right to warn any of the highest ranking officials of the three constitutional powers whenever needed and mete out punishment in case the warning is not heeded.

Ramazanzadeh's remarks were followed by those of Head of GC Research Center Gholam-Hussein Elham who said the bill to amend the law on presidential authority is against the Iranian Constitution, and in parts is the same act that was 'categorically' rejected by the Guardians Council (GC) in 1986.

Elham said the bill was an updated version of a previously rejected move with new guarantees that the president's warnings on violations of the Constitution are heeded and taken into effect.

Under the bill, if an official from an institution such as the Judiciary ignores the president's warning, he or she could be suspended from the civil service for up to three years for the first time and for life in case the negligence is repeated.

Khatami first made his intention to present a bill for strengthening presidential prerogatives late last month "in order to better respond to the aspirations of the people".

The announcement has been met with mixed reaction, with some people saying that the bill was contrary to the Constitution, since it sought excessive authority for the president and interfered in other state powers.

Others have hailed it, saying it could enable Khatami to deliver better on his promises of establishing rule of law and a civil society.