Tehran, July 22 (DPA) Iran’s parliament has increased pressure on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over his controversial appointment of his first vice president, Fars news agency reported Wednesday.
The parliament wants Ahmadinejad to sack his new appointment, Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly ordered the president to do so.
Parliament deputy Mohammad-Hassan Abutorabi-Fard said Wednesday that Rahim-Mashaei’s elimination from key positions, including first vice president, was a strategic decision by the establishment. He said the supreme leader has also conveyed this to the president.
Rahim-Mashaie was appointed first vice president last week and Ahmadinejad has so far ignored all the calls to sack him, describing him as one of the most loyal followers of the revolution.
“He has been appointed as first vice president and he will stay in this position,” Ahmadinejad insisted.
Fars reported Wednesday that parliament deputies plan to have a meeting with the supreme leader over the issue. No date was disclosed for the meeting.
The appointment led to widespread criticism even within pro-Ahmadinejad circles, owing to Rahim-Mashaie’s remark that Iran’s political differences with Israel had nothing to do with Israelis and Jews.
His remark that Iran was also a friend of the Israeli people sparked particularly harsh protests and calls for the resignation of Rahim-Mashaie, at that time vice president and head of the country’s tourism organisation.
