TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- A news agency reports Iran's president is urging parliament to abandon possible revisions in laws governing presidential elections.
The call appears part of widening political battles before June's election to pick Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's successor.

Ahmadinejad has faced attacks from powerful rivals since defying Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last year over a key Cabinet post.

Iran's ruling clerics vet all candidates for the presidency, but parliament may impose new guidelines of age and experience that could undercut Ahmadinejad's allies.

The semiofficial ISNA news agency says lawmakers Sunday began discussing possible changes.

On Saturday, Ahmadinejad appointed close aide Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei to a top post within the Non-Aligned Movement bloc in an apparent effort to boost Mashaei's image.

But the ruling clerics are unlikely to clear Mashaei for the presidential race.

By Associated Press

 

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