Hardliners rally behind Khamenei

Press, 12 June 1989, Page 11

Hardliners rally behind Khamenei

NZPA-Reuter Teheran Hardliners have pledged support for Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country seeks to project an image of political harmony after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeiny. Ayatollah Khamenei, who is also President, a mainly ceremonial post, called on rival factions within the clerical leadership to bury differences and unite in rebuilding the country. The government declared yesterday a holiday and urged Iranians to attend ceremonies at Ayatollah Khomeiny’s grave at Teheran’s Behesht-e

Zhara cemetery to “once again renew allegiance with the ever-lasting aspirations of' the late leader.” Thousands of mourners were marching to the graveside from provinces. Teachers and students from the theological school in Qom, which was Ayatollah Khomeiny’s base in his teaching years, were walking the 138 km route in a procession several kilometres long, the official news agency, 1.R.N.A., reported. Ayatollah Khamenei, aged 49, received a boost on Friday when the hardline Interior Minister, Hojatoleslam Ali Akbar Mohtashemi, and provincial governors-general

called on him and pledged their support. Mr Mohtashemi, who appoints the governors, has. in the past disagreed with Ayatollah Khamenei on foreign policy and economic issues. "The President expressed the hope that with the will of God the vacuum will be Tilled. He said all must put aside their differences of opinion and personal motives and work towards an all-out co-operation,” I.R.N.A. reported. A Kuwaiti newspaper meanwhile warned not to expect immediate change in Iran after Ayatollah Khomeiny.