TEHRAN, Nov. 24 (Mehr News Agency) -- Currently political parties are among the most essential needs of people, Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said in Tehran on Saturday.

"Parties are the major tool for allowing people to control their own destiny," and are the connection between communities and the ruling systems, Rafsanjani said in a meeting with the standing committee members of International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

The experience has shown that countries which have strong parties are more stable, he noted.

"The world is gradually moving toward democracy," he said, adding that people's attention to democracy is a result of expansion of communication methods.

Intellectual persons cannot tolerate tyrant governments, and they insist on their right to determine their own destiny, Rafsanjani stated.

He also pointed to the growing importance of Asia with great population and abundant natural resources, saying, "Surely, Asia will be the superior continent in the world in the future."

He said such a continent will need durable and strong political parties.

... Payvand News - 11/24/07 ... --