IRAN’S PRESIDENT SACKS INTELLIGENCE MINISTER

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
27.07.2009 11:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sacked one
of his ministers, a day after he was forced to cancel the appointment
of his vice-president.

No reason was given for the sacking of Intelligence Minister Gholam
Hossein Mohseni Ejeie.

The president is due to announce a new cabinet after he is sworn in for
a second term in 10 days’ time, following a disputed election victory.

Amid the turmoil, Mr Ahmadinejad’s office also denied reports that
three other ministers were sacked.

One of those reported dismissed, Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister
Mohammad Hossein Saffar Harandi, said he was resigning because of
the confused reports.

"Unfortunately due to the recent events which shows the esteemed
government’s weakness, I will no longer consider myself the minister
of culture and will not show up at the ministry as of tomorrow,"
he said in a letter of resignation carried by the Fars news agency.

Mr Ahmadinejad’s decision to give up on the appointment of his
First Vice-President, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie, was prompted by the
publication of a letter from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
telling him his choice was unacceptable.

On Saturday, however, Mr Ahmadinejad appointed Mr Mashaie as his
chief of staff, setting up another potential confrontation with
conservatives.