Mahmoud Short RoundAhmadinejad has appointed former head of Iran's Physical Education Organization Mohammad Ali-Abadi as the caretaker for the Ministry of Oil.
"Considering your commitment, knowledge, and useful executive experience, and in accordance with Article 135 of the Constitution of the Islamic Theocratic
Republicof Iran, and based on this decree, you [Ali-Abadi] are appointed as acting oil minister," read the presidential directive issued on Thursday.
In March, Ahmadinejad relieved Welfare Minister Sadeq Mahsouli, Minister of Mines and Industries Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Oil Minister Massoud Mirkazemi of their duties according to the 53rd Article of the Fifth Five-Year Development Plan.
The Iranian government plans to merge the ministries of Roads and Transportation with Housing and Urban Development; Energy with Oil; Industries and Mines with Commerce; and Welfare and Social Security with Labor and Social Affairs.
According to Iran's Fifth Five-Year Development Plan (2010-2015), the Iranian government is obliged to reduce its ministries form 21 to 17 to officially improve the efficiency of state administration.
Ahmadinejad had temporarily assumed the responsibilities of the oil ministry following the dismissal of Mirkazemi.