TEHRAN -- Kahtami’s withdrawal from the presidential race will be announced in a statement “soon”, a senior member of Baran Foundation, who requested anonymity, told the Mehr News Agency on Monday.

He said Khatami’s withdrawal is “definite” and he will announce his decision very soon as former prime minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi has declared candidacy.
On Monday, Khatami had meetings with members of the Association of Combatant Clerics and Baran Foundation to give reasons for his decision.
Another source also said Khatami will attend an emergency meeting with reformists on Tuesday to announce his withdrawal from the presidential race.
The decision is seen as a move to secure support from the electorate for former prime minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi, another reformist candidate who announced his decision to run for the presidential post last Tuesday.
“Khatami has made a decision to pull out of the election and this meeting is intended to inform the campaign office members and Baran Foundation members of his withdrawal from the tenth presidential election,” the source said.
The source noted that Khatami does not wish to run against Mousavi since this may result in reformists’ defeat.
Before a meeting with Mousavi on Sunday, Khatami had said he would consult with his supporters and former prime minister and then would announce his decision on Tuesday.
Former parliament speaker Mehdi Karroubi is also running in the June 12 election while incumbent conservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is yet to officially announce his candidacy.
Meanwhile, Yadollah Eslami, the secretary general of Former Lawmakers’ Association, stated on Monday that the subject of withdrawing presidential candidacy by Mohammad Khatami in favor of Mir-Hossein Mousavi is “serious”.
He said Khatami has no thirst for power.
In an interview with the Mehr News Agency, the former MP predicted that Khatami will elaborate on the reasons if he finally drops out of the race.
Eslami expressed hope that Khatami would reconsider his decision because his withdrawal will greatly influence the election climate.
Asked whether former Majlis speaker Mahdi Karroubi would also withdraw candidacy in favor of Mousavi, Eslami answered Karroubi has not announced his withdrawal under any condition and that he has had a clear stand from the very first.
Khatami declared his candidacy on February 8. He had said earlier that either he or former prime minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi would contest the election.
Mousavi announced presidential bid on March 10.
Before Mousavi officially announced his candidacy on March 10, Khatami had said he would drop out of the race if Mousavi made up his mind to take up the challenge.