TEHRAN, June 21 (UPI) -- Iran President Mohammed Khatami Tuesday urged eligible voters to turn out en masse for the second round of presidential elections.
The Iranian News Agency, IRNA, quoted Khatami as encouraging the public to vote for "a president who respects freedom and whose objective is to achieve justice and development and to defend Iran's pride and interests."
"Even those who hesitated to take part in the first round, they should participate in a decisive manner in the second round to defeat those who don't want the Iranians to enjoy freedom," Khatami added.
He stressed that the government is committed to ensuring honest and transparent elections.
The second round to choose Khatami's successor will be Friday between two candidates, including former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
