In a statement issued on Sunday, 260 members of the parliament thanked Manouchehr Mottaki for his services as foreign minister for more than five years, Mehr news agency reported.
"Mottaki is clearly a capable person in the area of foreign policy, and we hereby express our gratitude for his diligent efforts," the MPs said.
On December 13, President Ahmadinejad dismissed Mottaki from his post while he was away on a diplomatic mission in Senegal. The move provoked criticism from the parliamentarians who believed Mottaki was not removed courteously.
Majlis speaker Ali Larijani expressed his disapproval of the way Mottaki was removed, saying the removal should have been done with prudence and dignity. Mottaki also commented on his dismissal, describing it as "undiplomatic and offensive."
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