Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Monday recommended the Interior Ministry officials and the governors general to explore legal channels to resolve their dispute with the Supervisory Board, IRNA reported from Tehran.

The governors general expressed their grievances about the performance of the Supervisory Board and told the Leader that the law has not been respected in disqualifying the incumbent members of parliament.

Protest sit-in by Iranian MPs
photo: ISNA

The Supreme Leader appreciated the services of the governors general and said that the progressive movement is underway in the provinces thanks to blessings of the Almighty and the services of the governors general.

He said that the governors general are representatives of the governing system in the provinces adding they are expected to consider the needs of the entire country in addition to insistence on meeting the needs of their own provinces.

"The way to achieve the goals of the Iranian nation and that of the nation is difficult but possible. It calls for strong incentive and innate capability and the faith of the nation in Islam and their support for the ruling system," he said.

The Supreme Leader said that capability of every official belongs to the Islamic Republic and all the officials are expected to mobilize their capability to advance the goal of the Islamic Republic.

On the danger the quake-prone areas are exposed to, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the buildings in the quake-prone areas should be strengthened to stem the human loss in the event of a disaster.

The Supreme Leader advised the governors general to explore legal channels to resolve their dispute with the Supervisory Board. "I hope the problem will be resolved through legal channels. Of course, if the legal process failed to resolve the problem requiring the leader's intervention, I'll do my job."

The Supreme Leader advised those who think their rights have been violated by the Supervisory Board to observe calm and avoid tension to give the legal channels envisaged in election law the opportunity to examine the complaints.

Ayatollah Khamenei advised the governors general to restore law and order in the provinces to guarantee a healthy election on February 20.

Interior Minister Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari said that the Interior Ministry and the governors general have done what they could to hold elections in the best manner, but, the Supervisory Board have not considered the report of the Executive Board in confirming eligibility of the candidates.

Karroubi says he and President Khatami watching vetting process closely

Tehran, Jan 12, IRNA -- Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karroubi said here on Monday that he and President Mohammad Khatami are closely watching mass disqualification process of candidates for the seventh Majlis elections.

photo: ISNA

Speaking at the gathering of MPs who have launched a sit-in inside the parliament, he added that he has already talked to President Khatami twice since morning and that he is due to hold further talks with him this afternoon.

"All the candidates should be approved by the public votes, once their qualifications are confirmed, rather than relying on the Interior Ministry or the Guardians Council (GC) to pave their way into Majlis," he added.

Turning to the outlook of the late Imam Khomeini on people's ballots and the Islamic Republic, he noted that the GC and Interior Ministry are charged with making judgments and that given their role, they are destined to overcome in any case.

"Things should be pursued legally to enable compensation of any violation of rights and I along with the president keep a close eye on the issue of disqualification process of the candidates."

Karroubi denounced providing political factions as well as the real and corporate entities with special privileges in this respect and noted, "We shall act as we have been so far and will continue to do so in the future."

The speaker warned the MPs against tension and called for peaceful and legal settlement of the issue.

A number of representatives from the Bar Association also attended the gathering.