Ex-Iran leader warns of mounting public 'disaffection'

Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami on Wednesday called on Iran's conservative and reformist camps to unite with a view to resolving the many challenges facing the country.

In a statement published on a website known to be close to the former president, Khatami warned of what he described as "nationwide disaffection" among the Iranian public.

He went on to blame this perceived disaffection on a range of what he described as "economic, social and cultural problems".

"This disaffection is spreading among Iranian youth and in intellectual circles," Khatami said.

"Even among some of the clergy," he added, "there is a mounting sense of discontentment throughout much of Iranian society."