In a letter to Iran's most senior official, former presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaei (picture) says Mir-Hossein Mousavi has retreated from his stance on the government."Although he moved later than he should have, Mousavi has retreated from the position of denying the legitimacy of Mr. Ahmadinejad's government," Rezaei said in a Friday letter to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
"That retreat as well as his constructive proposal about the role that the parliament and judiciary must play in holding the administration accountable can signal the beginning of a new unifying movement from opposing front," he added.
Rezaei was referring to comments that the former Iranian prime minister and pro-Reform figure has made in a recent statement.
Mousavi's statement was released on Friday — five days after clashes broke out between Iranian security forces and anti-government protestors during the Shia Muslim ceremonies of Ashura.
According to police reports, Sunday's disturbances left seven people dead and resulted in a number of arrests.
Other than commenting on Mousavi's Friday statement, in his letter, Rezaei also praised pro-government rallies that were held later on Wednesday in condemnation of the "desecration of Ashura by anti-establishment protestors."
"Wednesday demonstrations that brought out millions in a magnificent show of national unity will not only make up for the shame of the sacrilegious events of Ashura but will also play a unique role in foiling enemy plots," said the Principlist politician.
"Once more, it was proven that Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his reviving path will be the savior of the Iranian nation," he added.
Ashura, the tenth day of the month of Muharram on Islam's lunar calendar, is the anniversary of the 7th century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) grandson, Imam Hussein (PBUH).
In his message to Ayatollah Khamenei, Rezaei also noted that the Wednesday demonstrations were the first time that the Iranian nation came out "united in one voice" following the June presidential elections.
"This demonstration can be the start of a serious move toward national progress. It can also signal the end of concerns and ambiguities of recent months about economic investments and other activities that are going on in the country.
"However, I have no doubt that extremists on both sides and the lurking enemies of the Iranian nation will try to neutralize the effects of this magnificent event with their mistaken behaviors."
