Impeachment of minister blow to Iran’s president

IRAN’S parliament sacked the interior minister yesterday in a blow to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ahead of next year’s presidential election.

MPs voted overwhelmingly to remove Ali Kordan, whose job is crucial in organising the 2009 race, accusing him of forging his degree from Britain’s Oxford University.

His impeachment was part of a power struggle between hardline backers of Ahmadinejad and his opponents, including reformers and moderate conservatives who blame the government for the failing economy, political analysts said.