Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 20
By Emil Ilgar – Trend:
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed his senior foreign policy advisor Ali Akbar Velayati as the head of Azad University’s board of founders, the supreme leader’s official website reported Jan. 20.
He replaced late Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, former president, who held this position since 1980.
Rafsanjani died Jan. 8.
Currently about 1.6 million Iranians study in the Azad University.
Rafsanjani was one of the founders of the Islamic Azad University.
Velayati is also the Head of Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Council, a body which is intended to resolve disputes between the parliament and the Guardian Council.
The Expediency Council was headed by Rafsanjani. The council would also meet in the coming days to negotiate appointment of a new head to replace Rafsanjani.