Hardline Iranian Cleric Urges Ahmadinejad to Dismiss VP

Hardline Iranian Cleric Urges Ahmadinejad to Dismiss VP
By VOA News  24 July 2009

Iranian Shi'ite Muslim worshippers shout anti-Israel and anti-US slogans as Iranian cleric Ahmad Khatami delivers the weekly Friday prayer sermon at Tehran University, 24 Jul 2009

A prominent hardline cleric in Iran is urging President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to abide by the supreme leader's order to dismiss his chosen vice president.

During Friday prayers in Tehran, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami warned Mr. Ahmadinejad that the legitimacy of his government will be undermined if he continues to defy calls for the removal of the first vice president, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie.

Khatami also told worshippers the foundation and legitimacy of an Islamic society depends on accepting the viewpoint of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

The vice president has been sharply criticized for stating last year that Iran is a friend of all people in the world, including Israelis. Iran does not formally recognize Israel.  

So far, Mr. Ahmadinejad has refused to back down on his selection of Mr. Mashaie, despite continued pressure to do so. The two men have family ties. Mr. Mashaie's daughter is married to Mr. Ahmadinejad's son.