In the latest indication of internal divides and confrontations among the clerical regime’s senior officials, Ahmadinejad appointed his chief advisor Rahim Mashaii as the secretary general of the Non-Aligned Movement.
In the order issued by Ahmadinejad, he goes to the limits in praising Mashaii and refers to his long-time relationship and cooperation with him as a ‘gift from God’ and ‘great honor’.
In other orders, Ahmadinejad replaced a number of other ministers and deputy ministers. Iran’s media outlets described these replacements as an unexpected measure and the appointment of Mashaii as an unprecedented order.