By IRNA,
Tehran : Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami on Monday night officially announced his withdrawal from the upcoming presidential election in June 2009.
In a statement issued by Khatami’s office, the former Iranian president said, despite his withdrawal, he would continue his active presence in the scene to encourage people’s huge turnout in the upcoming election.
Khatami was president of Iran from 1997-2005 and was succeeded by incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.