:
Th June 16 -

IRAN CAMPAIGN ENDS -

*Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani ... remained the favourite for president on the last day of campaigning yesterday, but was far from certain of winning the tightest election in Iran's history...

His nearest challengers are reformist Mustafa Mo'en, 54, who has pledged to tackle human rights abuses, and conservative Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, 43, an ex-police chief rumoured to enjoy the backing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The outcome of a Rafsanjani run-off against Mo'en or Qalibaf, possibly on June 24, would be hard to predict, analysts said.*

:: Reuters/Gulf News ::

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