Iran's largest pro-reform party announced it will boycott February 20 elections, with its leader saying the party no longer has hope for free elections. The decision came hours after an emergency cabinet meeting backed calls for a postponement of voting. In prior elections, senior military officials appointed by hard-liners voted for them, while the bulk of military personnel voted for the reform camp. Mohammad Reza Khatami, the party leader and brother of the Iranian president, said the Islamic Iran Participation Front would not field any candidates. "With an overwhelming majority of the votes, our party decided not to participate in the polls. This is the official position of our party," he told a Press conference after an emergency meeting of his party yesterday. He also called on President Mohammad Khatami's government to "resolutely resist and not give in to any hardline dictations." Earlier, the government spokesman said Cabinet ministers backed calls to postpone the parliamentary vote and vowed during an emergency meeting not to hold a sham election. Meanwhile, two assailants ransacked offices of a reformist Iranian MP Akbar Alami in northwestern Tabriz, threatening to kill him unless he withdraws from upcoming elections, Irna said yesterday. The US has renewed its calls for authorities in Iran to "respect the Iranian people's wish" for free and fairpolls. "We urge the Iranian government to respect the Iranian people's wish for a genuine voice through free and fair polls," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said. **PHOTO CAPTION*** An Iranian reformist MP signs a resignation letter during the 21st day of their sit-in at parliament, in Tehran. (AFP/Behrouz Mehri)