TEHRAN Deputy Interior Minister for Political and Security Affairs Mostafa Tajzadeh said here Sunday that the council elections not only did not weaken the government and the security of the country but also demonstrated that President Khatami is serious about reforms and he has the capability of conducting them. Speaking at the festival of national participation sponsored by the participation front of Islamic Iran to mark the urban and rural council elections, he said the formation of the Islamic councils is not just a reorientation towards national interests but also a transition to public role in determining their own destiny.

About 78 percent of the eligible voters in rural areas and 58 percent in urban areas participated in the council elections on February 26 1999, he said adding In other words a total of 64.5 percent of the eligible voters took part in the elections nationwide, which is rare anywhere in the world. Describing the February 26 elections as the product of the May 23, 1998 presidential elections, he stated that (in terms of importance, and turnout in comparison with presidential polls) the council elections reinforced president's wish in the materialization of people's participation in their fate.

(IRNA)