( RIA Novosti ) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Jalili as Iran's top representative in negotiations on the country's controversial nuclear program.
Jalili will replace outgoing Ali Larijani as secretary of the National Security Council. Ahmadinejad finally accepted the resignation after turning down several requests from Larijani.
"I hope you'll take necessary steps to fulfill the duties placed upon you to ensure national interests and the country's security," the presidential decree on Jalili's appointment said.
The new secretary will meet with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana on October 23 in Rome as planned, a government spokesman earlier said.
Larijani will accompany his successor at the talks with the European Union in Rome.