Iran’s president-elect, Hassan Rohani, has called on government and powerful clerics to end interference in the private lives of the Iranian people.

Speaking to clerics in a televised address in Tehran on July 3, Rohani called for freeing up access to the Internet and said that state media should report about ordinary people’s problems. Rohani said that “today the ground has been prepared for popular participation. The people have pinned their hopes on the future.”

Last week, Rohani said he would pursue “moderation in foreign policy” through what he called “constructive interaction” with the outside world.

Rohani, a moderate cleric who won almost 51 percent of the vote in elections to succeed hard-liner Mahmud Ahmadinejad, said he would move to build trust and ease tensions once he takes office on August 3.

Based on reporting by Reuters and the “Washington Post”
By RFE/RL
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President-elect makes appeal to clergy
Radio Zamaneh- Hassan Rohani told a meeting of clergy members on Wednesday July 3 that a strong government need not be one that intrudes into people’s private lives, adding that the Iranian people are hoping for change and development.

ISNA reports that Rohani stressed that “a strong government rises from a strong society” and he called for more public participation and less government intervention.

Rohani said that while the people are looking for this change, “there must be no division or disconnect between the clergy and the public.”

Rohani warned that “unemployment and inflation are not the exclusive concerns of the lower classes, and the middle class is also suffering from their effects.” He went on to add that “the problems that have been exacerbated over the years cannot be solved in a matter of months.”

He pledged his commitment to his election promises and urged the clergy to assist him on this path by refraining from any form of extremism, strengthening public confidence in the government and empowering the people to face their “material and spiritual problems.”

Rohani was elected in June of this year on a platform of moderation, good administration and hope. He will take over the government from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in early August.