A senior Iranian cleric has urged President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to take the Leader's advice to remove his recently appointed vice president.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ahmad Khatami, Tehran's interim Friday prayers leader said President Ahmadinejad's decision on Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei is a test of his loyalty to the Leader.

The remarks come amid reports that the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a letter to Ahmadinejad has called for the removal of Rahim-Mashaei from his post.

"Ahmadinejad's interest is in abiding by the Leader's stance on the recent appointment," Fars news agency quoted Khatami as saying.

Mashaei turned into a controversial figure over his remarks stating that the Iranian nation and Israelis are friends.

Ahmadinejad has so far refused to remove Mashaei.

MGH/SME/RE