Tehran mayor Qalibaf quits presidential race, backs Raisi: ISNA

London: 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.