Iran opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi, who had refused to accept Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election, revealed on Monday that he now recognised him as president. Karroubi's son, Hossein, spoke with AFP about his father's new stance.
"I am still of the same belief that the election was unhealthy and massively rigged. But since the (supreme) leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) endorsed (Ahmadinejad's victory), I believe that he is the head of the government, meaning he is the president," Hossein quoted his father as saying.
Earlier, Fars news agency quoted Mehdi Karroubias acknowledging Ahmadinejad to be the president. The ex-speaker of parliament said: "I still maintain that there were problems (in the poll), but with regard to your question, I should say that I recognise the president."
Karroubi and main opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi led the opposition movement despite Khamenei endorsing Ahmadinejad's victory. "I do not consider the government coming from this election as legitimate and will not participate in the endorsement ceremony," he had said ahead of the official ceremony to endorse Ahmadinejad as president for a second term.
