Iran's Rouhani regretful about homeless living in empty graves

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday reacted to the controversial images of the people sheltering from the cold winter in the empty graves in the suburbs of the capital Tehran as "unacceptable" condition in the country.

"Who can accept that dozens of the countrymen who have suffered social ills take refuge to graves at night because of homelessness?" Rouhani was quoted as saying by Tehran Times Daily.

A report by Iranian media on Tuesday said that 50 homeless people had been seen at nights sleeping in the empty graves near Shahriar town to the east of Tehran.

The reports stirred emotive reactions from the Iranians.

Whatsoever the reason, this is unacceptable, Rouhani said, urging all parties and political groups in the country to join hands to address corruption as the cause root of social ills.

He said that it is unbearable both for the government and for the people, urging solidarity and stop of partisanship.

He also noted that the government and nation "both have responsibility to fight corruption."

In his campaign speeches in 2013, Rouhani pledged to recover economic, lower unemployment and stop recession, vowing a tougher stance on corruption. Endit