TEHRAN During a meeting between President Mohammad Khatami and senior members of the political association Majma'-e Rouhaniyoun-e Mobarez (MRM) last Thursday, the president announced his readiness to run in the next presidential elections slated for June 8, an informed source said yesterday.

Speaking in an interview with the TEHRAN TIMES, the source further said, "The top officials of the MRM had a lengthy discussion with the president, during which Khatami announced his readiness to run for a second term in office."

The source went on to say, "This is really good news, as the uncertainty about the candidacy of Mr. Khatami has now been removed, and the people will now voice their expectations from him during his second term."

Asked what the people mainly expect from the president, he said, "Well, it's very clear. The people want a strong and capable cabinet that can address the country's economic problems, particularly rising inflation and unemployment."

Commenting on a recent remark by Secretary of the Expediency Council, Mohsen Rezaei, who had suggested that Khatami should not run for reelection, the source said, "Well, I think what he (Rezaei) said was merely his own personal view, not the stance of any certain political faction."

As regards the president's political performance during his first term in office, he said, "There were positive political developments in this country. In particular, Iran's relations with its neighbors and other countries considerably improved."

However, he called on Khatami to try to establish closer relations with all political factions during his second term with the aim of promoting national unity and harmony.