Zeenews bureau
Tehran: Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sacked Vice President Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie on the orders of Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as per state news agency IRNA.
Khamenei on Friday had ordered the dismissal of Ahmadinejad`s pick for Vice President.
The decision has put to rest the rumours suggesting rift between Khamenei and Ahmadinejad over the choice of Mashaie.
"The appointment of Mr Rahim Mashaie as a deputy to the President is against your best interest and the government`s interest, and it will cause division and frustration among your supporters," Khamenei was quoted as saying in a letter about the controversial appointment.
"It is necessary that the appointment be cancelled," he added.
Ahmadinejad`s naming of Rahim Mashaie as his first deputy last week had sparked a chorus of opposition in Iran, even among the incumbent`s own hardline supporters.
"Following the order of the supreme leader, I do not
consider myself as the first vice president, but ... will
serve our dear people in any capacity," Rahim Mashaie was
quoted as saying by Fars news agency.
Khamenei said that the appointment of Rahim Mashaie, who
caused a stir last year by saying Iran was a "friend of the
Israeli people," was against the nation`s interests and a blow
to the President`s own supporters.
