Ahmadinejad denies rumors on split with KhameneiMay 2, 2011 - 12:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended his first cabinet meeting for more than a week, dismissing rumors of a damaging split with the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to reports. Mr Ahmadinejad's close relationship with the senior cleric, who has the last word in the Islamic Republic's affairs, was strained two weeks ago, according to some analysts. The Supreme Leader had vetoed the President's attempt to sack his intelligence minister. Since then, Mr Ahmadinejad has missed two cabinet meetings, something some foreign analysts said was akin to a boycott. Speculation began to circulate that Mr Ahmadinejad no longer enjoyed the unqualified support of Mr Khamenei, something the government denied. Mr Khamenei had endorsed his re-election in June 2009 in a vote the opposition said was rigged. The Tehran Stock Exchange lost 6 per cent in value over the past three trading days due to the political uncertainty, Reuters reports. Without the Supreme Leader's support, any Iranian president risks becoming a lame duck. Before the cabinet meeting, the head of the national broadcaster IRIB, Ezatollah Zarghami, said Mr Ahmadinejad would express his allegiance to Mr Khamenei: "His speech to the cabinet ... will foil all the plots of the enemies of Islam and the revolution." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |