TEHRAN Irans president-elect, the moderate cleric Hassan Rouhani, on Wednesday said the Islamic Republics powerful clergy needs to do more to address the needs of Iranian citizens and regain their trust.In an event broadcast live on state television, Rouhani addressed a gathering of hundreds of his fellow clerics at Irans Interior Ministry, telling them that the Iranian people, must feel a sense of tranquility and security in all fields, especially politics and socially.
Acknowledging thegrowing dividebetween the policies of religious authorities and the desires of the majority of Iranians, who overwhelmingly elected Rouhani to succeed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president, he said it was time for real change in the role government plays in everyday life.
Governments involvement in social and private lives of people should decrease, Rouhani said.
Referring to the economic and diplomatic crises Iran currently faces as a result of international sanctions on it over its disputed nuclear activities, Rouhani said, My government will inherit more problems, more than any other government in the history of Iran, but Im hopeful. Im hopeful because I have the peoples support.
Rouhani collected 52 percent of the vote in a field of six candidates,winning a surprise victoryin the June 14 presidential election.
By The Washington Post
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