Tehran mayor Qalibaf quits presidential race, backs Raisi - ISNA

Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf quit the Iranian presidential race on Monday, backing instead hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi in Friday's vote.

"I should take an important decision to keep the unity of revolutionary forces... I ask all my supporters around the country to use all their capacity to help my brother, Mr Ebrahim Raisi win the election," Qalibaf said in a statement published on ISNA.

Qalibaf, a former Guards commander and police chief, was one of main rivals of president Hassan Rouhani who is seeking a second term.

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