Iran independent presidential hopeful Hassan Rohani says the key to solving the current problems the country is facing is reconciliation with intellectuals, political camps and the international community.
“I want to say that we need reconciliation to save the country from the existing situation…. The first reconciliation is that we should come together with scientists, scholars, experts and thinkers. No country can tread the path of progress without expert suggestions offered by pundits,” Rohani said in his address to a group of students at Sharif University of Technology in Tehran on Monday.
He added, Å“We should respect expertise. The problems that we are currently grappling with are due to our detachment from science, scientists, universities, scholars, academics, research and researchers.”
The former chief nuclear negotiator also called for the interaction with all political camps in a bid to heal the existing rifts in the society.
Å“The second reconciliation is with various factions and political groups. We should narrow social divides. We are in a situation that [we] need more unity and empathy. We are in a situation that we should exercise tolerance in our political world and society,” Rohani stated.
“If we want to bridge the social gaps, we should bow down to a charter. We have no more than one charter in our country, which is accepted by all people. It is the Constitution,” the presidential hopeful pointed out.
He noted that the third reconciliation involves the international community.
“The third reconciliation is our reconciliation with the world. We speak of reconciliation with the world, neither surrender, nor confrontation. We can proceed within the framework of national interests,” Rohani stated.
Rohani is currently serving as president of the Center for Strategic Research which is affiliated with the Expediency Council (EC). The EC arbitrates between parliament and the top election oversight body, the Guardian Council.
The registration for the 11th presidential election of Iran ended on May 11, with 686 individuals having signed up for the race.
The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.
The Guardian Council, a 12-member body consisting of six jurists and six theologians, is tasked with vetting hopefuls for their qualifications and confirming the election results.
MP/KA/SS
This article originally appeared on : Press TV