Iran president sacks 3 ministers in power struggle

[May 14, 2011]  TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's president has fired three key Cabinet ministers -- all of who were his staunch loyalists -- amid an ongoing power struggle between the parliament and his government.

State radio reported Saturday that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed the three: Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi, Welfare and Social Security Minister Sadeq Mahsouli, and Industry Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian.

It's unclear if they will be replaced and who will take the posts.

A new law passed by parliament requires Ahmadinejad trim down 21 ministries to 17.

Parliament has pushed for the restructuring of the government, which lawmakers claim is oversized, and now requires that any Cabinet changes be approved by the legislature.

There was no immediate reaction from the parliament over the sacking.

[Associated Press]

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