After debate, Leader warns against rival defamation

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution warns presidential hopefuls against resorting to defamation strategies to 'prove' themselves for the presidential post.

Addressing crowds at the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini, the late Founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei raised the issue of character assassination in relation to the June 12 presidential election.

"It is not decent for a [presidential] hopeful to resort to slandering another candidate in a speech or a debate to prove himself," the Leader said on Thursday, after two presidential candidates held a controversial debate late on Wednesday.

Ayatollah Khamenei also called upon the masses to go to the polls in large numbers to thwart efforts aimed at portraying Iran's elections as undemocratic, adding that all should work toward the protection of the Islamic Revolution.

The Leader noted that Iran enjoys a democratic electoral system, which puts the votes of the Iranian nation first.

With only one week left before the presidential election, hopefuls are doing their best to garner support by taking part in speeches and rallies, as well as televised debates.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the last prime minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi held the second face-off among candidates on Wednesday to defend their policies.

During the 90-minute debate, the two contenders exchanged criticism over various issues including foreign policy and economic management.

Ahmadinejad took a swipe at two former presidents Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, accusing them of masterminding a plot to push him out of power.

Ahmadinejad underlined what he believed were examples of mismanagement and corruption during those two presidents' administrations.

He also claimed that Rafsanjani had promised the fall of his new government to Saudi Arabia after he lost the 2005 election to Ahmadinejad.

In response, Mousavi attacked Ahmadinejad for accusing people who were not represented in the debate. He said the tactic was adopted by the incumbent President because Ahmadinejad had not found anything against him.

Mousavi brought into question Ahmadinejad's foreign and economic policies, saying that his denial of the Holocaust had resulted in dire consequences for the country.

President Ahmadinejad's attacks were not limited to former presidents. He also accused the two other presidential hopefuls -- Mohsen Rezaei and Mehdi Karroubi -- of trying to downplay his government's achievements, saying there have been massive plots underway against this government.