Iran president aide resists pressure to quit over Israel

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

TEHRAN (AFP) — A close aide to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed on Wednesday to remain at his post despite pressure to quit over his remark that Iranians are "friends with Israelis", a report said.

"A servant of the people never resigns," the Fars news agency quoted Vice President Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie as saying.

Mashaie's remark about Iran's archfoe last month has sparked fury among conservatives, with more than 200 MPs urging Ahmadinejad to take action against his ally and confidant.

"It is not appropriate that the president entrust an important governmental post to a man ... who does not have the courage to admit to his mistake and apologise," the ISNA news agency quoted Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nuri Hamedani as saying.

Ahmad Salek, spokesman...