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Iran: foreign minister's firing won't affect policy

AP

TEHRAN, Iran //  A Foreign Ministry spokesman says the firing of Iran's foreign minister will not affect the country's policies, including nuclear talks.

The remarks come a day after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad abruptly sacked Manouchehr Mottaki and named nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi as caretaker minister.

Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says "we will not see any change in Iran's basic policies," including in the nuclear talks. He says the ministry is only implementing policies decided by the higher leadership.

The US suspects Iran intends to build a nuclear bomb, a claim Tehran denies. Iran and top world powers held a round of inconclusive talks on the standoff last week, and are to meet again next year.

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EDITOR'S PICKS

America's hidden agenda in Syria's war

EDITORS NOTE: RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE -- MANDATORY CREDIT

Exclusive: Influential Syrian rebel commander claims US intelligence officers are trying to enlist rebels to fight their fellow insurgents, the Al Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat Al Nusra, instead of helping them overthrow Bashar Al Assad. Phil Sands reports   America's hidden agenda in Syria's war

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Egypt vowed to pursue men like Hussein Salem, the 'Father of Sharm El Sheikh', for riches gained under ousted premier Hosni Mubarak. But hard times may have blunted its zeal. Bradley Hope reports from Cairo  Egypt's pursuit of Mubarak's cronies falters

Muslim Brotherhood opens direct link to rebels in Damascus

Members of the Free Syrian Army walk with their weapons in Al Izaa district in Aleppo February 16, 2013. REUTERS/Muzaffar Salman (SYRIA - Tags: CONFLICT POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) *** Local Caption *** SYR09_SYRIA-CRISIS-_0216_11.JPG

Brotherhood opens direct contacts with opposition groups in Damascus, providing them with cash for the first time and promising political influence in an effort to gain their support. Phil Sands reports  Muslim Brotherhood opens direct link to rebels in Damascus

Regional violence batters Algerian tourism industry

Algerian tourists admire the view from atop a mud minaret in the old town of Beni Isguen on April 24, 2013. Tourism has been a significant source of income for the oasis towns around Ghardaia, but security concerns have led to a drop in visitor numbers this year. Photo: Lindsay Mackenzie for The National.

Wildly, naturally beautiful, with hundreds of miles of Mediterranean coastline, mountains that look like Swiss Alps and endless desert, Algeria was a drawcard for tourists to North Africa. But not anymore. Alice Fordham reports from Beni Isguen  Regional violence batters Algerian tourism industry

Cypriots draw on spirit of '74 to see them through euro crisis

Caption:Greek Cypriots refugees wait for their departure to the South of the island, under control of Greek Cypriots authorities, after Turkish authorities give the authorisation, Nicosia, on November 14, 1974. During Atilla II, second stage of Turkish operation on August 14, 1974, more than 30 per cent of the land (in the North) came under Turkish occupation, and in the process, many Greek Cypriots who made up 82 per cent of the population in the north became refugees behind the ceasefire line, called the

Cypriots rekindle courage from Turkish invasion, saying they have endured far worse than the current economic slump, even as harrowing tales emerge daily of poverty and hunger. Michael Theodoulou reports from Nicosia  Cypriots draw on spirit of '74 to see them through euro crisis

Back from Iraq, US veterans fight the effects of war

Ryan Charles, 24, served with an infantry division in Iraq for two years. He began experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder last year when he returned to the United States. Michael Falco for The National

Troops who have served in America's 'war on terror' suffer at historic levels from psychological wounds and brain injuries. Taimur Khan reports from New York  Back from Iraq, US veterans fight the effects of war

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