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Short Round refuses to sack controversial deputy
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has defied his own Supreme Leader by refusing calls to remove his controversial deputy, who is also a relative.Mr Ahmadinejad last week appointed Esfandiar Rahim Mashai, who is related to him by marriage, as his deputy but the decision was roundly condemned by hardline clerics and politicians. Mr Mashai angered conservative leaders last year when he said Iranians were friends of all people in the world, even Israelis. Iran's Supreme Ruler Ayatollah Khamenei ordered his removal, but Mr Ahmadinejad has refused to back down. Despite his power the Ayatollah does not have a formal role in appointing or removing government appointments.
Posted by: Steve White 2009-07-23 |
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| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=274905 |