Aliabadi likely to become Iran oil minister

An Iranian lawmaker says President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will most likely appoint former head of Iran's Physical Education Organization Mohammad Aliabadi as oil minister. Spokesman for the Energy Commission of the Iranian Parliament Seyyed Emad Hosseini told Fars News Agency on Sunday about the possibility of Ahmadinejad introducing Aliabadi to Majlis as his choice for Oil Minister. The Iranian president named Aliabadi caretaker Oil Minister on June 2. "Considering your commitment, knowledge, and useful executive experience, and in accordance with Article 135 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and based on this decree, you [Aliabadi] are appointed as acting oil minister," read the presidential decree. In March, Ahmadinejad relieved Welfare Minister Sadeq Mahsouli, Minister of Mines and Industries Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi of their duties according to Article 53 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. Iran's Guardian Council had described President Ahmadinejad's decision as "illegal" and against the provisions of Article 135 of Iran's Constitution.