Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 22
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani has reinstated the current caretaker of the Science, Research and Technology ministry, Mohammad Ali Najafi, the official IRNA news agency reported Nov. 22.
Najafi, a reformist politician was appointed by Rouhani as acting science minister on Aug. 20, after the parliament dismissed former minister, Reza Faraji Dana.
According to Iran's rules acting ministers can be appointed only for three-month period. The issue raised disputes among Iranian politicians over reinstatement of Najafi, whose period ended Nov. 20.
It is while Najafi told reporters that the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamanei has permitted Rouhani for extending the period till new minister approved by the parliament.
Rouhani introduced Mohammad Farhadi as his new nominee for Ministry of Science, Research and Technology to Parliament on Nov. 19. Within ten days, the parliament must make a decision regarding the nominee.
Farhadi is Rouhani's fifth nominee for the post. On Nov. 18 the parliament rejected Fakhredin Ahmadi Danesh Ashtiani - Rouhani's previous nominee for the post.
Former nominee Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi also was rejected by the parliament on Oct. 29.
Farhadi who currently heads Iran's Red Crescent Society, served as Minister of Health and Medical Education during ex-president Mohammad Khatami`s administration (1997-2001) and Minister of Science in the cabinet of former prime minister, Mir Hossein Mousavi(1985-1989).