Iranian President dismisses three ministers, thanks them for efforts

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad relieved Saturday three ministers from their duties, expressing gratitude for their efforts and services during their tenures.

In three separate decrees on Saturday, Ahmadinejad dismissed Welfare Minister Sadeq Mahsouli, Minister of Mines and Industries Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Oil Minister Massoud Mirkazemi from their posts according to the “53rd article of the Fifth Five-Year Development Plan.”

The Iranian president expressed gratitude to the ministers for their “honest efforts and services which had an influential role in the successes of the government.”

According to Iran's Fifth Five-Year Development Plan (2010-2015), the Iranian government is obliged to reduce its ministries form 21 to 17 to officially improve the efficiency of state administration.