Iranian Education Minister Survives Impeachment Vote

Education Minister Mahmud Farshidi after the failed impeachment vote (AFP) May 16, 2007 -- Iranian Education Minister Mahmud Farshidi survived an impeachment vote in parliament today after President Mahmud Ahmadinejad defended the minister's record in front of lawmakers.

Some deputies accuse Farshidi of failing to achieve the country's objectives in education, and are furious over a test for teachers, established earlier this year, that was deemed offensive to the Prophet Muhammad.

The impeachment motion also comes after a string of demonstrations by teachers over their salaries.

(AFP, AP)