Iranian President In Apparent Boycott Of Official Duties

President Mahmud Ahmadinejad delivers a speech during the Army Day parade in Tehran on April 18.

Reports from Iran say lawmakers have called for a debate on President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's apparent boycott of his official duties.

The reports say Ahmadinejad hasn't been seen at his office for eight days, missing government meetings.

Analysts are speculating that it's a sign of a power struggle between the president and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who recently reinstated Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi after Ahmadinejad forced him to resign.

The Associated Press reports that on April 29, a hard-line cleric used his nationally broadcast sermon to indirectly warn Ahmadinejad against challenging Khamenei.

compiled from agency reports