Following mass disqualifications of reformist candidates for parliament ("reformist" being a relative term) by the ultra conservative Guardian Council, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei appealed for all factions to end their squabbling in advance of the elections in March:A hard-line watchdog body which vets hopefuls for loyalty to the Islamic system and other values said it had reinstated 300 candidates rejected in the initial filtering process, adding to 280 announced earlier this week. But the reformists said most of their main candidates remained disqualified and accused the Council of Guardians of failing to ensure a competitive race for Parliament. The clerical body, which banned 2,000 reformist candidates in the 2004 election, is expected to announce the final list of eligible candidates in the first week of March. Khamenei also said Sunday that god would punish Iranians if they do not support the country's disputed nuclear program, state radio reported. "The...(Read Full Post)