Iran's president backs down on political challenge
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended a Cabinet meeting Sunday after more than a week's absence that raised tension with the country's supreme leader, state TV reported. Ahmadinejad's decision to back down and attend is likely an attempt to avoid backlash from Khamenei, who has been a strong supporter of the president.
The recent confrontation between Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei involved the president's dismissal last month of the country's most powerful intelligence chief, Heidar Moslehi. Khamenei quickly reinstated Moslehi in a slap to Ahmadinejad. In apparent protest, the president skipped two Cabinet meetings this past week. (AP)
