The Iranian president has accepted the resignation of Mohammad Ali Najafi as head of Culture and Tourism Department and appointed him to lead the Economic Coordination Committee.

Massod Soltanifar was announced as a replacement for Najafi. Soltanifar had been nominated by Rohani for the Sports and Youth Ministry but he failed to obtain Parliament’s approval.

Yesterday, contradictory news reports were published in the Iranian media regarding Najafi’s resignation.

Rohani stated in his response to Najafi’s resignation letter: “Despite your persistence to resign in the past week, I have been adamant about retaining your cooperation in the administration. However, now with your insistence and in regard for your health, I have agreed to your resignation.”

Najafi now heads the committee that the Rohani administration has set up to coordinate various economic entities including the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank.

Najafi’s appointment to public service has been repeatedly criticized by Islamic Republic hardliners, and when Hassan Rohani nominated him to the Ministry of Education, Parliament rejected the appointment.

Radio Zamaneh