Dismissed Iranian FM does not attend farewell ceremony

Manouchehr Mottaki's farewell ceremony in Tehran

Manouchehr Mottaki, former Iranian foreign minister did not attend his own farewell ceremony in what appears as a protest against his sudden dismissal.

Iranian media reported that the ceremony was supposed to be held in the presence of Mottaki together with Vice-president Mohammadreza Rahimi and the head of Iran’s Atomic Agency, Ali Akbar Salehi who is now filling Mottaki’s shoes as the caretaker of the foreign ministry. Reportedly after waiting 45 minutes for the arrival of the former foreign minister, the ceremony was carried out without him.

Manouchehr Mottaki, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s longtime foreign minister was suddenly dismissed by Ahmadinejad while the FM was on a diplomatic mission in Africa.

The Vice-president played down the suddenness of Ahamdinejad’s actions contending Manouchehr Mottaki was already privy to the fact that he was being replaced before going on to Senegal and maintained that Islamic Republic government officials faithfully carry out their duties to the last minute.

Rahimi also indicated that Manouchehr Mottaki will be given another post in the government in the near future.

Despite these remarks, the dismissal of Manouchehr Mottaki appears as the final act in a series of disputes that have unfolded in the past months between Ahmadinejad and Mottaki.