Iran's embattled President Mohammad Khatami Wednesday stood by a dramatic threat to lead a mass resignation of reformists, vowing he would reverse an attempt by hard-liners to bar his allies from next month's crucial elections.
But his move to cool boiling tensions by urging reformist MPs to end their parliament sit-in was rejected. Furious deputies asserted they would continue to occupy the Majlis building and, if necessary, escalate their protests.
"The president stated that the rejection of candidacies was illegal and not acceptable," reformist MP Ahmad Borghani said after closed-door talks with Khatami.
"The president emphasised what he said on Tuesday, and said he was optimistic that the efforts of him and the Majlis president, Mehdi Karoubi, would prevail," the MP told reporters.
Late Tuesday, Khatami laid down the gauntlet to the conservative-run Guardians Council, an unelected 12-member watchdog that vets legislation and screens all candidates for public office.
"We have to remain firm. If one day we are asked to leave, then we will all leave, together," the usually mild-mannered president warned. A departure of the reformist government, elected with massive majorities in past polls, could plunge Iran into political chaos and back into international isolation.
The Council is seeking to disqualify nearly half of the 8,000 people hoping to stand for parliament on February 20. Most are reformists, among them some 80 who currently sit in the Majlis.
"When it comes to the elections and defending people's rights, the president is firm and will not forget his oath," Khatami vowed in an open Majlis session. "Unfortunately, the current parliament is the subject of unjust attacks."
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