Middle East News
Rafsanjani elected as head of Iran's highest clergy assembly
Sep 4, 2007, 7:50 GMT
Iranian ex-president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani (r) sits with Lecturer of Islamic seminary Ahmad Khatami (l) during a session of the of the Assembly of Experts, the country\'s highest clergy body, on 4 September 2007 in Tehran. Rafsanjani was elected as head of the assembly of Experts. Although the assembly has no direct political power, but the election of Rafsanjani, a fierce opponent to Ahmadinejad, is regarded by observers as a setback for the president\'s wing within the country\'s high-ranking clergy circles. EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
Tehran - Iranian ex-president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani was elected Tuesday as head of the Assembly of Experts, the country's highest clergy body, the news network Khabar reported.
Rafsanjani prevailed against his closest rival, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, a hardliner and close aide to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The 86-member Assembly of Experts - which is elected just once every eight years - has the power to appoint, supervise and even oust Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who constitutionally has the final say on all state affairs.
Although the assembly has no direct political power, the election of Rafsanjani, a fierce opponent to Ahmadinejad, is regarded by observers as a setback for the president's wing within the country's high-ranking clergy circles.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Ayatollah Outa ControlaSep 4th, 2007 - 23:06:20
Man oh Man what a trip this religious stuff has been. Oh Bummer.
Islamic heart burn baby. That's the way I like it uh ha............
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