"Iran’s New Foreign Minister Appears in Istanbul
By SEBNEM ARSU
Published: December 23, 2010
Ali Akbar Salehi made his first international appearance as Iran’s foreign minister on Wednesday at an economic summit meeting in Istanbul. Mr. Salehi, a former head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Council, was named to replace Manouchehr Mottaki last week in a surprise move by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, who also attended the Istanbul meeting. Mr. Salehi reiterated his trust in Turkey’s diplomatic efforts to help find a resolution in coming talks over Iran’s nuclear program between Iranian officials and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China, as well as Germany. Turkey is hosting the meeting. When Mr. Salehi was named to the new post, some Iran observers speculated that Mr. Ahmadinejad might try to replace him with a permanent candidate from his inner circle. "
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