Khatami pulls out of Iran's presidential polls

Tehran, March 16 (IANS) Iran's former president Mohammad Khatami has withdrawn from the country's presidential election, Iranian media reports said Monday.

According to Mehr news agency, the reformist leader has endorsed former Iranian prime minister Mir-Hossein Moussavi to run for the presidency elections to which are to be held in June.

Khatami and Moussavi held a meeting here Sunday to chalk out their future course of action, Press TV reported, citing unnamed sources.

Khatami is expected to hold meetings with other reformist leaders over the issue.

He had earlier announced that he would withdraw from the race if Moussavi makes up his mind to take up the challenge.

Khatami, who was expected to put a tough challenge to incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, had announced to run for the presidency Feb 10.