Ahmadinejad gets seat on top Iran council

Iran's supreme leader on Monday appointed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the Expediency Council, the country's top political arbitration body headed by an avid critic of the outgoing president. In announcing the appointment, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised Ahmadinejad's "worthy efforts" as president. "Considering the profuse experience you gained during eight years of worthy efforts, I appoint you as a member of the Expediency Council," read a statement posted on Khamenei's website The council is headed by ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who repeatedly criticised Ahmadinejad during his turbulent eight-year presidency for his controversial political and economic policies. It is dominated by conservatives and acts as an advisory body for Khamenei, the supreme leader of the Islamic republic who has final say on all key policies, including nuclear talks and foreign policy. Ahmadinejad vacated office on Saturday after two turbulent four-year terms, leaving Iran divided domestically, isolated internationally and struggling economically. He was succeeded by moderate cleric Hassan Rouhani, who has promised to engage constructively with world powers over Iran's contentious nuclear drive and to stave up the shrinking economy. In the last two years of his presidency, Ahmadinejad fell from grace with Khamenei following a public power struggle, and during his tenure he was also involved in high-profile feuds with parliament speaker Ali Larijani and judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani. The Expediency Council comprises high-ranking religious and political figures and former government officials. It is also tasked with resolving legislative issues between the parliament and the Guardians Council, which interprets the constitution. Source: AFP