Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

President to be questioned by MPs

Updated at 5:53 am on 8 February 2012

In an unprecedented move, parliament in Iran has summoned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for questioning over his handling of the economy.

On Tuesday, the Fars news agency published a list of 10 questions which it said the president would be asked by MPs.

The questions are about the state of the economy, as well as Mr Ahmadinejad's foreign and domestic policy decisions.

MPs have threatened similar action before, but failed to follow through.

The summons will be sent to Mr Ahmadinejad later this week. Under Iranian law, the president must appear in parliament within a month.

It's the first time such a summons has been issued since the Iranian revolution in 1979. The BBC reports it is a new indication of conflict within Iran's ruling elite.

It may also weaken Mr Ahmadinejad and his supporters ahead of next year's presidential election, although he cannot stand for a third term.

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