Ahmadinejad answers Parliament's questions

TEHRAN, March 14 (UPI) -- Iran's Parliament Wednesday summoned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to answer questions about his 11-day absence and dismissing his foreign minister.

In the first such summons since Iran's 1979 revolution, Ali Motahari, a representative for lawmakers upset with Ahmadinejad's economic policies and ministerial choices, spoke for 15 minutes, posing questions to the president, CNN reported.

Ahmadinejad's hourlong response included saying he dismissed Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki because he had gone on a mission without his permission.

Ahmadinejad in December appointed Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, as interim foreign minister.

He also said Parliament shouldn't begrudge him some rest, referring to his 11-day stay at home. Ahmadinejad took the extended absence after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei overruled his decision to fire an intelligence minister, CNN said.

Motahari also objected to the forcing of women to wear headscarves, to which Ahmadinejad said: "Our nation is religious, pious and lovable and we must treat them right. Do not be too strict. Of course if some people try to systematically undermine values what must be done is clear. The Judiciary and intelligence organizations will investigate them and issue a verdict. But ordinary people must be treated with kindness."

The president repeatedly said: "I am joking with you. After all, it is the new year and we should be jovial," Iran's state-supported Press TV reported.

Ahmadinejad told lawmakers: "Be fair. Now that you want to rate, give a good mark. We answered the questions and said some extra things. It would be unfriendly and disrespectful if you give [me a mark] less than an A."