Iran: Head Of Parliament Files Complaint Against Ahmadinejad

Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s parliament, has filed an official complaint with the judiciary against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government for failing to establish a ministry of sports.

ISNA quoted a judiciary official confirming receipt of the letter from parliament and promising firm action.

Last December, parliament passed a law for the formation of the 22nd Iranian ministry, the ministry of youth and sports, by the deadline of April 9, 2011.

Last week, Larijani sent a letter to Ahmadinejad reminding him of the deadline.

However, the president’s chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashai, said on Sunday: “The government and the president believe that this issue [the establishment of a sports ministry] is not in the interest of the country’s sports and athletics.”

Parliament responded that when both parliament and the Guardian Council have approved a law, it cannot be delayed by such statements as “it is not in our interest” or “it is not right.”