Ahmadinejad sacks head of his administration

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by his decree dismissed the head of presidential administration Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, the official website of the President of the Islamic Republic president.ir reported.

By another presidential decree, the head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization Hamid Bagai, has been appointed vice-president for executive affairs and head of the presidential administration.

Ahmadinejad and Mashaei are close relatives. Ahmadinejad's son married Mashaei's daughter.

When working together with Ahmadinejad, Rahim Mashaei was criticized by conservatives and religious leaders for some of his statements and actions. In particular, Mashai criticized those who consider music haram (forbidden in Islam), and said that Tehran should maintain friendly relations with all countries, including Israel.

After winning the presidential election in 2009, on July 17 of that year, Ahmadinejad appointed Mashaei as vice president. However, on the orders of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mashaei on July 24 was removed from the post. After that, Ahmadinejad appointed Mashaei as head of his administration.


/Trend/