Qalibaf to quit presidential race, backs Raeisi

Tehran mayor and a candidate in Iran's 12th presidential election, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, has issued a statement announcing that he is to withdraw from the presidential race while backing principlist candidate, Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi.

"The day I decided to enter the election despite my personal interests, I was aware that I would face difficult and dangerous conditions," Qalibaf said in the statement on Monday, Press TV reported.

He added that it was clear to him that bringing about any fundamental change to the status quo would not be possible unless through a fight against the "four-percent" affluent minority, which has been in control of the country's economic and political resources for long years. 

"Right now, the main goal of the country and the people is to change the status quo, and to that end, there is no other way than beginning a genuine fight free of slogans against aristocracy and opportunism in order to find a precise and comprehensive solution to the country’s problems," Qalibaf said.

Tehran's mayor also stressed the importance of preserving the interests of the country, its people and the Islamic Revolution.

In another part of his statement, Qalibaf said a fundamental decision must be made for forge unity within the revolutionary front, adding, "In order to achieve this great goal, I ask all my popular supporters across the country to use all their potential and support for the success of our respectable brother, Hojjatoleslam Ebrahim Raeisi."

"I thank and praise all my popular and unpretentious supporters, who have striven toward realization of the revolution's ideals with all they have," he concluded.  

SS