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July 24, 2009

Hardline Iranian Cleric Urges Ahmadinejad to Dismiss VP
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=258C07F:A6F02AD83191E160BBA349D3C88B525198CBE7246176B735&
 
Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami warns Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that legitimacy of his
government will be undermined if he continues to defy calls for removal
of Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie 
Iranian Shi'ite Muslim worshippers shout anti-Israel and anti-US slogans
as Iranian cleric Ahmad Khatami delivers the weekly Friday prayer sermon
at Tehran University, 24 Jul 2009A prominent hardline cleric in Iran is
urging President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to abide by the supreme leader's
order to dismiss his chosen vice president. During Friday prayers in
Tehran, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami warned Mr. Ahmadinejad that the
legitimacy of his government will be undermined if he continues to defy
calls for the removal of the first vice president, Esfandiar Rahim
Mashaie. Khatami also told worshippers the foundation and legitimacy of
an Islamic society depends on accepting the viewpoint of Iran's supreme
leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The vice president has been sharply
criticized for stating last year that Iran is a friend of all people in
the world, including Israelis. Iran does not formally recognize Israel.
So far, Mr. Ahmadinejad has refused to back down on his selection of Mr!
 . Mashaie, despite continued pressure to do so. The two men have family
ties. Mr. Mashaie's daughter is married to Mr. Ahmadinejad's son.


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