Iran's Rafsanjani urges system’s loyalists to close their hearts

TEHRAN, Apr. 6 (MNA) – Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has called on the loyalists of the Islamic Republic to close their hearts.

“I am worried about the distance of the hearts of the loyalists of the system,” Rafsanjani said in a meeting on Monday with some current and former MPs, former governors and ministry officials.

He said Iran can be the “center of stability” in the region if “we get united with each other.”

Rafsanjani, who heads both the Expediency Council and the Assembly of Experts, said healing the rifts, which surfaced after the June presidential election, is his main recommendation to political activists.

“In regard to local and foreign situations, the protection of the system of the Islamic Republic is highly important. And in the new year, we need to build confidence in the country’s political environment.”

He also referred to the subsidy reform plan, saying reforming subsidy system is in the interest of the country but it should be implemented with full care.

“A surgery of subsidies… is essential but it should be implemented in a way not to cause dissatisfaction among people.”

During the meeting, a number of persons including former energy minister Habibollah Bitaraf, former MP Majid Ansari, city councilor Mohammad Ali Najafi, and MPs Mohammd Reza Tabesh and Mostafa Kavakebian presented their views about the country’s political, economic, and cultural issues, the process of work in the Majlis as well as the subsidy reform plan.

In a similar meeting on Sunday a number of Expediency Council officials including the council’s secretary Mohsen Rezai and chairmen of the council’s commissions held a meeting with Rafsanjani.

Last week some Friday prayer leaders and Assembly of Experts and Expediency Council also held a meeting with Rafsanjani.