TEHRAN The next president of Iran should take measures to manage the national economy without the influence of politics, said a professor of Shahid Beheshti University, Gholamhossein Khorshidi, here yesterday.

Addressing a seminar held on the next presidential elections and the national interests, the economist stressed the need to create proper social, political, and economic conditions in society in order to improve the economy.

"Although President Khatami has done his best in the last four years, the national economy is still in recession," he said, citing that, "This shows that the president has not been so successful in this regard."

"It is not logical to say that some figures outside the country are damaging our economy," he said, adding that, "The spread of such ideas in society could distract people from fighting the real problems and enemies."

Taking the views of economists into consideration and implementing the president's mottos in the field of economy are among the ways through which the national economy could be improved, he said.

The government should employ the workforce in an efficient manner in order to achieve a strong national economy.