By VOA News
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's pick for first vice president has
resigned from the post, following a demand from Iran's supreme leader for his
dismissal.
Iran's state news agency, IRNA, quotes a top aide to Mr. Ahmadinejad, Mojtaba
Samareh-Hashemi, as saying Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie no longer regards himself as
first vice president.
|
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (right) and
Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaii |
Mashaie has been criticized for saying last year that Iran is a friend of all
people in the world, including Israelis. Iran does not formally recognize
Israel.
Earlier Friday, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ordered
President Ahmadinejad to dismiss Mashaie.
Iranian state television cited a letter in which Khamenei told the president
the appointment of Mashaie is "against your interest and the interests of the
government and will cause division among your supporters."
During Friday prayers, hardline Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami urged
Mr. Ahmadinejad to abide by the supreme leader's wish.
Khatami warned the Iranian president the legitimacy of his government would
be undermined if he continued to defy calls for the dismissal of Mashaie.
The hardline cleric also told worshippers the foundation and legitimacy of an
Islamic society depends on accepting the viewpoint of Iran's supreme leader.
Iran's president and Mashaie have family ties. Mashaie's daughter is married
to Mr. Ahmadinejad's son.
Some information for this report was provided by
AFP, AP and Reuters.
... Payvand News - 07/25/09 ... --
