They expressed concern about the Guardian Council's rejection of the two bills relating to the election law and the executive procedure for the president to guarantee respect for the constitutional rights of the citizens.

The governors general from 28 provinces said in a statement at the end of their monthly meeting that the other segments of the system should also respect the people's votes as the only criterion for 'national unity'.

They said that the deadlock over the two bills should be removed through respect for the votes of the people to gain public trust in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The top executive officials in the provinces supported the performance of President Khatami and said that the government has worked better than the former governments in the economic sector.

They cited decreasing tax rate to 25 percent from 65 percent in the production sector, lower investment risk rate in Iran, lower inflation as examples of the government's success in the economic sector.

On the achievements of the government in promoting democracy, the governors said that democracy has been promoted in the country to the extent that 'opponents of the president are no longer seen as apostate'.

Even the opponents of the reform are enjoying freedom thanks to President Khatami's agenda, the statement said.

They said that the reform movement is the outcome of the Islamic Revolution and a bright stage in the process of the Revolution adding that the reform movement is within the framework of the Constitution.

The statement said that the reform movement advocates rule of law and democratic elections as well as coalition for peace at the global level.