Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 13 /Trend, D.Khatinoglu/
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad signed a decree to dismiss Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. According to the professor of the University of Glasgow, a political expert of Iranian origin Rza Taghizadeh, Manouchehr Mottaki's dismissal was not unexpected. So far the media had repeatedly disseminated information about the possible dismissal of Mottaki.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad signed a decree to dismiss Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, the presidential official website reported. The reasons for Mottaki's dismissal are not reported.
Ahmadinejad wants to pursue foreign policy directly and upon his own, Taghizadeh told Trend by telephone from London. He had previously intervened in the powers of the country's foreign ministry in certain issues. "For example, Ahmadinejad appointed a special representative for Caspian Sea, Asia and other regions. This step of president had led to protest of the foreign ministry and representatives of Parliament," said Taghizadeh.
Ahmadinejad appointed special envoys for Europe, the Caspian Sea, Middle East, Asia, Africa, Latin America and Afghanistan. However, after a protest by Iranian religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he replaced the post of special envoys to the advisers. Ahmadinejad has appointed head of the Presidential Administration Isfandiar Rahim Mesha a special envoy for the Middle East, chairman of the Organization for Cultural Heritage and Tourism Hamid Begai - special envoy for Asia, minister of economy Shamsaddin Husseini - special envoy for Africa, - minister of trade Mohammad Abbasi - special envoy for Latin America and the consultant of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Abulfazl Zohravand - special envoy for Afghanistan.
According to Taghizadeh, the reason for Mottaki's dismissal is that he failed to fulfill president's orders on foreign policy. According to expert, the appointment of Iranian foreign minister must be approved by and agreed with Ayatollah Khamenei, and therefore, Mottaki's direct reporting to Khamenei was not in Ahmadinejad's interest.
During his first presidential term, Ahmadinejad dismissed eight ministers. According to Taghizadeh, Ahmadinejad wants to see the Cabinet of Ministers completely subordinating to himself.