Iran fires foreign minister

Teheran, 13 Dec – (ANA) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has fired Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Iran's official Irna news agency reports.

Initial reports gave no reason for the decision.

There had been no indication that Mr Mottaki, a key figure in Iran's nuclear negotiations with the West, was about to lose his job.

News reports suggest Mr Ahmadinejad has appointed the country's top nuclear official to replace Mr Mottaki.

State television reported Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation and a close ally of the president, would take over in a caretaker capacity. (ANA)

FA/ANA/13 December 2010------