Iranian First VP Resigns After Call for His Dismissal: Via Voice of America.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's pick for first vice president has resigned from the post, following a demand from Iran's supreme leader for his dismissal.

Iran's state news agency, IRNA, quotes a top aide to Mr. Ahmadinejad, Mojtaba Samareh-Hashemi, as saying Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie no longer regards himself as first vice president.

Mashaie has been criticized for saying last year that Iran is a friend of all people in the world, including Israelis. Iran does not formally recognize Israel.

Earlier Friday, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ordered President Ahmadinejad to dismiss Mashaie.
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