TEHRAN -- Association of Combatant Clerics Secretary General Hadi Khamenei stated on Saturday that the association supports Mir-Hossein Mousavi as its only candidate in the presidential election.

The cleric said Mousavi was active as a “real reformist” before some reformists enter the country’s political scene.
Talking to reporters, he stated that Mousavi’s candidacy was one of the people’s expectations.
He noted that in the previous election the reform camp had asked Mousavi to contest the election but he rejected.
Khamenei said Mousavi finally announced his presidential candidacy which was welcomed by the public.
He said that Mousavi has necessary knowledge of the country’s different issues and there are many experts including highly qualified economists to help him.
On Mousavi’s silence during the last twenty years, he said Mousavi’s silence was because he didn’t see the situation appropriate to take over responsibility.
He went on to say that reformist candidates will reach a consensus on Mir-Hossein Mousavi at last.
On likely support to Mousavi by some principlists (conservatives), Khamenei said the former prime minister is acceptable to the most of the society and he is supported beyond the parties and groups.
Mir-Hossein Mousavi was prime minister from 1981 to 1989, when Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was president. He was the last prime minister of Iran before the change in the Constitution which removed the post of prime minister.
He declared his candidacy on March 10.
MB/PA END MN