TEHRAN – Mohammad Khatami will attend an emergency meeting with reformists on Tuesday to announce his withdrawal from the presidential race, according to an informed source in Khatami’s campaign office.

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 many 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.