At least six of the 10 candidates running in the elections are conservatives and opponents of Khatami's endeavours to introduce economic and social reforms to Iran. On the economy, he urged less state intervention, calling it the root of all evils. Khatami swept to office in 1997 with nearly 70 percent of the popular vote, the maximum allowed under the Iranian constitution, in the face of bitter conservative opposition to his reforms. The moderate head of state has publicly lamented his limited power to stand up to conservatives who control state media, the courts, the police and armed forces, and take their cue from supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran calls for emergency meeting of OIC .
Supreme leader condemns reprisals on Afghanistan .
Khatami says UN should lead fight against terrorism . Taliban envoy . Iran says worried about influx of Afghan refugees . Iran cautions Britain over hasty US reaction to terrorist attacks . Afghan population movements high as fear builds of US strikes, UN warns .