President Mohammad Khatami and members of his Cabinet met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on August 1.
Speaking at the meeting, which was the last meeting with the outgoing president and his Cabinet members, the Leader expressed his appreciation for the sincere and selfless efforts made by President Khatami and his colleagues in the government over the past eight years.
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that during the term of office of President Khatami, the country witnessed serious and all-out efforts of government officials, which resulted in considerable progress in various industrial, agricultural, scientific, technological and service sectors. He emphasized that the Iranian people will never forget these achievements which, he stated, will surely be rewarded by Almighty Allah.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic considered the transfer of executive power from one government to the next in the most pleasant and appropriate manner as one of the blessings of Islam and the revolution.
"This spirit of friendship and affection that is manifested in the smooth transfer of executive power should be preserved as a suitable ground for the Islamic democracy in our country. Besides, the next government is expected to build on the achievements and valuable experience of the present government and continue the path to progress and development," the Leader told the audience.
Elsewhere in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the glorious history of the Iranian nation and abundant human and natural resources in the country. He stressed that all the executive officials who take office in successive governments should make every effort to expedite the country's progress and the attaining of the Iranian nation to the status that it deserves.
The Leader described the young Iranian generation as a talented, intelligent and energetic generation which is capable of offering efficient and competent executive managers for the future of the country.
"The progress already made by our country is by no means comparable with the past. The Iranian people, relying on Almighty Allah, are determined to tread the path to further progress and development, and the threats and machinations of the arrogant and expansionist powers will have no effect on the strong will of our nation," the Leader observed.
Further in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that among the strong points of President Khatami's government were the perseverance, liveliness and dynamism of his Cabinet members who, he noted, continued their vigorous efforts and activities up to the last moment in office.
The Leader also praised President Khatami's character and his positive features. He stated that because of the president's laudable characteristics, the cordial bonds between the Leader and President Khatami were much stronger compared with the previous eight years.
"Among the outstanding characteristics of President Khatami are his religious nature and his inherent decency. Over the past eight years, the president made great efforts and also displayed remarkable patience and endurance in the face of different events," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic further stated, "However, the most prominent feature of President Khatami was his defiance of the enemies who were trying hard to bring him into a confrontation with the Islamic system. But the president resisted and disappointed the enemies despite the immense pressure that was being exerted on him."
Elsewhere in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei hinted at the attempts being made by certain individuals to create a rift and schism between the Islamic nature and the republican nature of the Islamic system.
"The Islamic nature of our system cannot be dissociated from its republican nature. The reason is that the Iranian people adhere to the Islamic precepts, and through the votes that they have cast in various elections in conformity with their religious faith, they have shown that the real democracy in Iran is combined with adherence to Islam," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
President Mohammad Khatami, for his part, expressed his gratitude to the Leader for his guidelines and support over the past eight years. He said that he is transferring the executive power at a time when the 20-year perspective document enshrining the country's macro policies for the next two decades has been drawn up, and that the government has approved the country's fourth development plan based on this document. He stressed that these measures indicate the country's stability, security and great capabilities.
Referring to the achievements of his government, President Khatami told the Leader that more than 2,900,000 jobs have been created in the country over the past five years, causing a fall in the unemployment rate, and that the inflation rate has also been decreased over the past years.
As regards the smooth transfer of executive power in the county, the president noted that the transfer of executive power, which takes place based on the people's votes, is one of the remarkable achievements of Islamic Republic system. He said that everybody should try to strengthen the pillars of religious democracy in the country, institutionalize civil rights and administer social justice.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic presented a holy Qur'an to President Khatami and to each member of his Cabinet as a token of gratitude for their valuable services.
Later, President Khatami and his Cabinet members along with their families said their evening and night prayers, which were led by Ayatollah Khamenei. Then, the Leader invited the participants in the meeting to have dinner with him.